Serie A | Cagliari 0-2 Bologna: Sardinian bubble has burst

BERGAMO, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna FC 1909 reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on August 31, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Cagliari suffered another unexpected heavy defeat, falling 2-0 at home to Bologna with Nicolò Casale and Federico Bernardeschi on target.

The Sardinians had been on a sensational run of form with three straight wins and a 1-1 draw against Juventus, until collapsing 4-0 at Monza on Monday. Yael Trepy, Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici remained long-term absentees.

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The visitors had turned a corner since Raffaele Palladino replaced Domenico Tedesco, but suffered his first defeat 3-1 to Inter. Roberto Piccoli, Riccardo Orsolini and Emil Holm were all out with muscular strains.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

The high press almost caused huge problems for Elia Caprile playing out from the back, saved by the offside flag as Federico Bernardeschi joined in with Juan Miranda.

Paul Mendy went for an audacious and acrobatic volley that was always going to be tough to keep on target.

There was an odd moment as the second half was about to kick off, as Harry Winks felt a twinge in his back and Fabio Pisacane rushed through an unexpected substitution.

Alessandro Romano’s free kick only grazed the head of Michel Adopo, but it was Bologna who broke through after a series of corner kicks.

Juan Miranda curled his effort onto the head of Nicolò Casale, who was allowed a totally free run at goal from six yards. It was the defender’s first Serie A goal since January 2023.

Mendy’s header failed to trouble Lukasz Skorupski, but Bologna managed to double their advantage when Juan Rodriguez charged down the Bernardeschi screamer with his hand, so the ex-Montreal Impact forward converted the resulting penalty.

Bologna almost had another spot-kick moments later, as Niccolò Cambiaghi was brought down inches outside the box, and Bernardeschi’s resulting dinked free kick was cleared by the wall.

Casale 57 (B), Bernardeschi pen 80 (B)

1st half

		32'		Federico Bernardeschi
Zé Pedro		38'

2nd half

Roberto Gagliardini		55'
		57'		Nicolò Casale (Assist: Juan Miranda)
Alessandro Deiola		77'
		80'		Federico Bernardeschi

Cagliari

Bologna

1

Goalkeeper

33

Defender

15

Defender

2

Defender

46'

14

Midfielder

4

Midfielder

75'

70

Midfielder

67'

6

Midfielder

46'

8

Midfielder

79

Midfielder

86'

31

Attacker

1

Goalkeeper

3

Defender

33

Defender

75'

Defender

85'

20

Defender

75'

16

Defender

19

Midfielder

4

Midfielder

10

Attacker

89'

21

Attacker

75'

28

Attacker

10

Midfielder

20

Attacker

23

Goalkeeper

Attacker

22

Midfielder

26

Defender

12

Goalkeeper

27

Midfielder

32

Midfielder

35

Attacker

21

Midfielder

46'

Defender

46'

9

Attacker

67'

39

Midfielder

75'

24

Midfielder

86'

29

Defender

6

Midfielder

9

Attacker

17

Midfielder

22

Attacker

14

Defender

25

Goalkeeper

5