Cagliari 1-0 Juventus Player Ratings: Mazzitelli Magic Secures a Shocking Victory for Hosts

Cagliari produced a disciplined and resilient performance to claim a shocking 1–0 victory over Juventus in a Serie A clash at the Sardegna Arena. While Juventus dominated possession and territory, the night ultimately belonged to the hosts, who executed their game plan to perfection.

The visitors controlled large spells of the contest, moving the ball patiently and probing for openings. Fabio Miretti and Kenan Yildiz were heavily involved in the final third, but clear chances were limited as Cagliari remained compact and organised throughout.

Defensively, the home side were outstanding. Led by a commanding display from Yerry Mina, Cagliari’s backline absorbed relentless pressure and refused to buckle. Juventus continued to push, but frustration grew as their dominance failed to translate into goals.

Cagliari waited for their moment and took it in the 65th minute. Gianluca Gaetano delivered a precise cross into the box, and Luca Mazzitelli arrived to finish decisively, sending the Sardegna Arena into celebration. Juventus struggled to respond, and the hosts held firm until the final whistle.

It was a night defined by a defensive masterclass and clinical execution from Cagliari. Here are Sportsdunua’s Cagliari vs Juventus Player Ratings from the Serie A encounter.

Key Takeaways

• Despite controlling possession and territory, Juventus struggled to create clear chances against a compact Cagliari block.

• Led by Yerry Mina, Cagliari’s disciplined backline absorbed sustained pressure and stayed organised throughout.

• Luca Mazzitelli’s second-half strike punished Juventus and sealed a shock 1–0 home win.

Cagliari Player Ratings vs Juventus

Let's delve into the Cagliari player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Elia Caprile - 7.5: What a performance from the man between the sticks. He made four crucial saves, including a couple of smart stops to deny Juve's attackers. We noticed his confidence growing as the game went on. He commanded his box well, punching clear when needed. He was a calming presence for a defense under siege. A well-deserved clean sheet.

Defenders

Sebastiano Luperto - 7.0: A really solid, no-nonsense display from the central defender. He racked up an impressive eight clearances, just getting his body in the way of everything. His passing was tidy and he didn't take any unnecessary risks. From our perspective, he was a key part of that impenetrable defensive unit. He looked totally focused on the job.

Yerry Mina - 7.5: The captain led by example with a colossal performance. He was a giant at the back, winning his aerial duels and making nine clearances. He organized the backline brilliantly, and his experience was vital in the closing stages. He put his body on the line multiple times. What stood out to us was his communication, constantly marshalling his teammates.

Zé Pedro - 6.5: A busy night for the defender who stuck to his task diligently. He made a couple of important tackles and clearances. However, he was a little too aggressive at times, committing three fouls. He did get caught out once or twice but his recovery pace was good. A decent if slightly raw performance.

Midfielders

Marco Palestra - 6.5: A game of two halves for the midfielder. He showed incredible energy and won an impressive eight duels, really getting stuck in. On the other hand, he was very loose in possession, losing the ball 14 times. He worked tirelessly for the team, which we have to commend. His defensive contribution outweighed his offensive sloppiness.

Luca Mazzitelli - 8.5: The undeniable hero and our Man of the Match. He took his goal with the composure of a seasoned striker, a brilliant finish that won his team the game. Beyond the goal, he was a warrior in midfield, breaking up play and drawing fouls. He was the heartbeat of the team. A truly outstanding performance that he'll remember for a long time.

Michel Adopo - 6.5: He was the quiet enforcer in the middle of the park. He went about his business effectively, making three tackles and providing a solid screen for the defence. He didn't offer much going forward, but that wasn't his job today. A disciplined, if unspectacular, shift for the team.

Gianluca Gaetano - 7.5: The creative spark for Cagliari. His assist for the goal was a moment of pure quality, a perfectly weighted cross. He was one of the few Cagliari players who looked comfortable on the ball under pressure. He also worked hard defensively, making three interceptions. A very intelligent and decisive performance.

Adam Obert - 6.5: Played his part in a massive team effort. He was defensively sound, contributing five clearances and two interceptions. Like a few of his teammates, he struggled with possession, giving it away nine times. But his work rate off the ball was commendable. He never stopped running for the cause.

Forwards

Semih Kılıçsoy - 5.5: It just wasn't his day. He struggled to get involved in the game at all. He was isolated up front and lost almost all of his physical duels. From our perspective, he looked off the pace and it wasn't a surprise to see him substituted early in the second half. A performance to forget.

Sebastiano Esposito - 6.0: You can't fault his effort. He ran the channels all evening and tried to put the Juventus defence under pressure. Unfortunately, he had very little service to work with. He had one shot on target but it was comfortable for the keeper. He played a selfless role for the team.

Manager

F. Pisacane - 8.0: He deserves immense credit for this victory. His game plan was executed to perfection. He set his team up to be incredibly difficult to break down and they frustrated Juventus all evening. The resilience and organization were a testament to his coaching. A tactical masterclass against one of the league's giants.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Cagliari

Here's a look at the Juventus player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mattia Perin - 6.0: He was largely a spectator for this match. He had one save to make and distributed the ball perfectly. He could do absolutely nothing about the goal, which was a clinical finish. It feels harsh to give a low rating, but he had so little to do. An uneventful and frustrating evening for him.

Defenders

Bremer - 6.5: A solid outing from the Brazilian. He was strong in his duels and comfortable on the ball, completing 94% of his passes. He even created a chance for David from a corner. He wasn't at fault for the goal and did his defensive duties as expected. He couldn't be expected to do much more.

Lloyd Kelly - 6.5: A tidy performance on his part. He was very secure in possession, and his long passing was a feature, finding his target 7 out of 9 times. He made a few important interceptions and clearances. However, he didn't offer the forward thrust that was needed to break down a stubborn defence. Solid, but not spectacular.

Pierre Kalulu - 6.0: We barely noticed him for large parts of the game. He was neat on the ball but offered very little impact either defensively or offensively. He was dribbled past once and didn't win many of his duels. A very passive performance when his team needed someone to take the initiative.

Andrea Cambiaso - 7.0: He was one of Juve's brightest sparks. He created a remarkable four chances for his teammates and was a constant outlet on the flank. His final ball could have been better at times, but he was always looking to make something happen. He also did his defensive work diligently. A good individual performance in a poor team result.

Midfielders

Manuel Locatelli - 7.5: For the 66 minutes he was on the pitch, he was the best player for Juventus. He completely dictated the tempo of the game, creating four chances and passing with precision. His substitution was, from our perspective, the turning point. Juventus lost all control of the midfield after he went off. A baffling decision from the manager.

Teun Koopmeiners - 7.0: A typically industrious performance from the Dutchman. He was all over the pitch, making tackles, interceptions, and driving forward with the ball. He won the majority of his duels and was a real physical presence. He tried to force the issue but lacked that little bit of quality in the final third.

Kenan Yıldız - 6.5: A frustrating player to watch. He showed flashes of brilliance with his six successful dribbles. However, he was also incredibly wasteful, losing possession a staggering 20 times. He got a silly yellow card for simulation which summed up his frustrating evening. So much talent, but the end product was missing.

Fabio Miretti - 6.5: He got into great positions but his finishing let him down badly. He had five shots, more than anyone on the pitch, but couldn't find the back of the net. He was a constant threat with his movement but lacked the composure when it mattered most. A night of 'what ifs' for the young midfielder.

Weston McKennie - 5.5: A disappointingly anonymous performance. He was a passenger for most of the match, failing to make any significant impact on the game. With only one duel won and 10 possession losses, he was simply not involved enough. A really poor showing from a player who is usually full of energy.

Forwards

Jonathan David - 6.0: It was a tough night for the striker. He was starved of any real service and had to feed on scraps. He worked hard to create space but was well-marshalled by the Cagliari defence. He missed a big headed chance from a corner which he should have done better with. He looked frustrated and isolated.

Manager

L. Spalletti - 5.5: This was a bad day at the office for the Juventus manager. His team had all the possession and chances, but showed a complete lack of cutting edge. His decision to substitute Manuel Locatelli, his best player, was a major tactical error that cost his team control of the game. He failed to find a solution to break down a deep-lying defence.

Player of the Match

Luca Mazzitelli was Sportsdunia's man of the match.

Worst Performer

Semih Kılıçsoy struggled to make an impact for Cagliari.