It was a huge battle to avoid the drop, as the Neroverdi were in penultimate place, but only four points behind the Sardinians. Domenico Berardi and Samu Castillejo were still absent, while Jakub Jankto and Antoine Makoumbou were not on the trip, but Gianluca Gaetano and Tommaso Augello returned from suspension.
There were 4,000 Cagliari fans at the Mapei stadium, knowing that a victory would guarantee their Serie A status.
Ruan Tressoldi risked disaster in the opening six minutes, botching a clearance then bundling on Gianluca Lapadula, but the striker went down too easily in the penalty area.
Martin Erlic limped off with a lower back bruise, but Sassuolo had the first real chance with Andrea Pinamonti heading a free header inches wide.
Gianluca Lapadula saw his angled shot cross the goal to brush the far post and Eldor Shomurodov fired over. Cagliari began to push after the restart, Gabriele Zappa’s shot stifled by Andrea Consigli and Zito Luvumbo hesitating on the counter-attack.
Lapadula was brought down in the box, but only after going offside, and Pinamonti’s acrobatic kick deflected off target.
Cagliari took the lead in front of their many away supporters when a free kick was sent into the area, Lapadula’s strike was charged in and Yerry Mina finally dismissed substitute Matteo Prati to head home.
Ibrahim Sulemana should have added a second, shooting wide when set up by a Nahitan Nandez solo on the right.
Cagliari sealed it when Marash Kumbulla was surprised by a strange twist on the pitch and crashed into Lapadula for a penalty, which Lapadula converted, even though Yerry Mina had wanted to shoot it.
The Sassuolo situation affected Matheus Henrique, who was sent off in quick succession for two yellow cards, both for dissent. They could even be mathematically relegated this afternoon.
Prati 71 (C), Lapadula 91 (C) pen
Sent: Matheus Henrique 93 (S)
