ROME. Walter Mazzarri’s new Cagliari starts off on the right foot and stops Lazio at the Olimpico. It ends 2-2 with Immobile opening and Cataldi regaining equality in the final after the Sardinian overtaking signed by Joao Pedro and Keita: third unsuccessful match for the Sarri boys (including the Europa League), who stabilize at 7 in the league. Cagliari, on the other hand, collects the second point of the season and starts on the right foot under the Mazzarri management.
Sarri at the start changes something to forget the European defeat against Galatasaray: Pedro and Felipe Anderson return in attack to make the department with Immobile, while in the median the trio is the usual one composed of Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Luis Alberto. Walter Mazzarri’s first Cagliari is instead based on the classic 3-5-2, with Caceres, Ceppitelli and Carboni ahead of Cragno. The new coach chooses for the midfield composed of Nandez, Marin and Deiola with Dalbert and Lykogiannis on the outside: in attack the couple is made up of Joao Pedro and Keita Balde. After the kick-off, Lazio takes the ball in the game, administering the rhythms and phrasing: Sarri’s team immediately seeks verticalization for Immobile, managing on more than one occasion to become dangerous. The first shot is by Luis Alberto, who does not guess the mirror of the goal. Cagliari, after a muted start, begins to gain confidence with the passing of the minutes: Nandez inspires for Dalbert who is sensationally anticipated by teammate Keita before hitting the net from a more favorable position. The script does not change in the middle of the first half, with Lazio building the game and Cagliari dangerous in the restart. For the hosts, Immobile and Milinkovic-Savic are always the most dangerous men, and right on this axis comes the advantage at the end of the first half: the Serbian pennella, Immobile does not make a mistake and Cragno hole for the 1-0 accompanying the teams at the interval.
Cagliari, despite the scorching disadvantage immediately before the double whistle, returns to the field with the right grit and determination: just a few seconds pass and Joao Pedro, splendidly served by Marin, cold Reina and brings everything back into balance on 1-1 . The rossoblu take courage, taking advantage of an empty pass by the opponents: first Nandez and then Lykogiannis almost double, making the Olimpico tremble. The local nightmare, however, manifests itself in the 62nd minute: Joao Pedro takes the time and snaps on Luiz Felipe, his ball in tow is for Keita Balde who is cold to stop and overtake Reina for the Sardinian 1-2. Lazio feel the blow and Sarri tries to change the inertia by fishing from the bench: it is precisely the new entry Cataldi to agree with the technician, finding the 2-2 in the fray that gives again a voice to the Olimpico with a few minutes to play. The final frenzy, however, will not change the balance, if not for the expulsion of Zappa (double yellow) which affects relatively. Lazio-Cagliari ends in a draw: a good point at the first for Mazzarri, while Sarri still has to postpone the return to victory.