Juve see off Cagliari | OneFootball

Juventus continued their positive league momentum and won their fourth consecutive match in Serie A thanks to a 1-0 victory away against Cagliari. The match was decided by Dusan Vlahovic’s goal, as the striker coolly capitalised on a defensive error by the Sardinian side to secure three very important points for the Bianconeri.

FIRST HALF

Juventus began the match with great intensity, immediately trying to impose their gameplan in the opening stages with quick passes and fluid attacking moves. Kenan Yildiz posed a threat from the outset, showing great skill and winning the first corner kick of the match in the 7th minute. Shortly after, it was Federico Gatti’s turn to venture forward, earning another corner after 9 minutes.

After a start dominated by the Bianconeri, Cagliari tried to fight back, but the Juventus defence was alert to the danger and disrupted the opponents' attacks. The decisive moment of the match occurred in the 13th minute: Vlahovic took advantage of a defensive error by the Sardinian side and found himself one on one with Elia Caprile, the striker coolly skipped around him before slotting the ball into the back of an empty net to give Juventus the lead.

Motta's team continued to push forward: in the 21st minute Yildiz let off a dangerous strike, but Caprile was on hand to deny him. Shortly afterwards, it was Francisco Conceicao’s turn to test the Cagliari goalkeeper with a powerful shot in the 24th minute. Cagliari tried to react but were unable to create many openings. Juventus continued to retain possession of the ball and looked to double their advantage (coming close on the half-hour mark, when the Yildiz-Caprile duel was renewed), but the first half ended with the Bianconeri narrowly in the lead.

A CONTROLLED SECOND HALF

In the second half Cagliari tried to up the tempo and pose a threat, introducing Zito Luvumbo in place of Mattia Felici. The Sardinian forward immediately made his mark with a move down the left that led to a corner kick in the 53rd minute. Juventus responded by retaining possession and patiently probing for an opening, but Cagliari grew into the match as the game wore on, although they never particularly troubled Michele Di Gregorio.

In the closing stages, Cagliari threw caution to the wind in order to try and find an equaliser: but instead in the 78th minute, Vlahovic had a great chance to put the game to bed, however Caprile saved his team with a decisive save. Shortly afterwards, in the 81st minute, it was the Serbian striker who again came close to doubling Juve’s advantage, but he was deemed to be in an offside position.

Juve came under great pressure in the dying minutes of the match, with Cagliari launching an attacking onslaught: Florinel Coman came close to scoring with a shot that went just wide in the 83rd minute, whilst Nicolas Viola let off a wayward effort from distance in the 91st minute. For the majority of the second half, however, Juventus managed to control the game and manage their lead, though Yildiz had a late effort once again denied by Caprile in the 93rd minute.

Three points secured that consolidate the Bianconeri's fourth place position in the league, and that was all they needed.

CAGLIARI - JUVENTUS | GALLERY

CAGLIARI 0-1 JUVENTUS

Unipol Domus, Sunday 23 February, 2025 at 20:45 (CET) Serie A – Matchday 26

Goals: 12’ Vlahovic (J)

Cagliari: Caprile, Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello, Zortea (70’ Marin), Adopo (70’ Viola), Makoumbou (86’ Pavoletti), Deiola (57’ Coman), Felici (46’ Luvumbo), Piccoli. Unused Substitutes: Prati, Jankto, Auseklis, Palomino, Obert, Gaetano, Sherri. Coach: Davide Nicola.

Juventus: Di Gregorio, Weah, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso (73’ Rouhi), Koopmeiners (62’ Douglas Luiz (82’ Mbangula)), Locatelli (73’ Thuram), Conceicao (62’ Kolo Muani), McKennie, Yildiz, Vlahovic. Unused Substitutes: Perin, Costa, Nico Gonzalez, Pinsoglio. Coach: Thiago Motta.

Referee: Andrea Colombo Assistants: Fabiano Preti, Giuseppe Perrotti Fourth Official: Daniele Perenzoni

Bookings: 49’ Weah (J)

Next Match:

Juventus-Empoli Coppa Italia – Quarter-Final Wednesday, 26 February, 2025 at 21:00 (CET) Allianz Stadium