Inter 3-0 Cagliari: Serie A 2025-26 match report

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza played host to a clinical display of tactical superiority on Saturday as Inter secured a comfortable 3–0 victory over Cagliari. In a match defined by a rapid second-half surge, Cristian Chivu’s side demonstrated the patience and precision required to break down a stubborn defensive structure, ultimately leaving Fabio Pisacane’s Cagliari side with little recourse.

The opening

The initial phase of the contest suggested a tight, attritional battle. Both managers opted for a 3-5-2 formation, leading to a congested midfield and a lack of clear-cut opportunities in the final third. Cagliari, clearly aiming to frustrate the hosts, adopted a physical approach early on. This intensity resulted in two quick yellow cards for the visitors, with S. Esposito cautioned in the 23rd minute, followed closely by G. Borrelli two minutes later.

Inter controlled the majority of the possession, circulating the ball effectively across the width of the pitch, but they struggled to penetrate the Cagliari backline before the interval. The visitors defended in numbers, forcing Inter to rely on wide play to stretch the game. While the home side looked the more threatening, the first 45 minutes concluded without a breakthrough, leaving the scoreline level at 0–0 and the tactical deadlock intact.

The decisive moment

The complexion of the match shifted dramatically shortly after the restart. Inter returned from the dressing room with increased urgency, and their persistence was rewarded in the 52nd minute. F. Dimarco, finding space on the flank, delivered a precise ball into the box, where M. Thuram rose to meet it, steering the ball home to give Inter a deserved lead.

The goal acted as a catalyst for a dominant four-minute spell that effectively ended the contest as a competitive fixture. Just four minutes after the opener, N. Barella doubled the advantage, capitalizing on the momentum shift to find the back of the net. The quick-fire double forced Pisacane into an immediate double substitution, introducing G. Borrelli and G. Gaetano in an attempt to regain control of the midfield, but Inter’s defensive organization remained resolute.

As the second half progressed, the intensity of the match leveled off. Chivu utilized his bench effectively in the 76th minute, introducing fresh legs to manage the game’s tempo. Despite Cagliari’s late attempts to salvage a consolation goal, Inter remained disciplined. The victory was rounded off in the 90th minute when P. Zieliński converted an assist from D. Dumfries, sealing a comprehensive 3–0 win for the Nerazzurri.

Looking ahead

For Inter, this result reinforces their consistency in the latter stages of the 2025-26 Serie A campaign, keeping them firmly in contention as they look to solidify their standing in the table. Cagliari, meanwhile, will need to address their defensive lapses during the second-half transition as they navigate the remainder of the season under pressure.