Cagliari 2 - 0 Parma Player Ratings: Elia Caprile Rated 8.5/10 as Cagliari Put on Dominant Show at Home to Secure 2-0 Victory

What a statement from Cagliari. They completely controlled this Serie A fixture, earning a well-deserved 2-0 victory over a disappointing Parma side. From our perspective watching the match, the home team just looked more clinical and organized from the first whistle to the last. The atmosphere at the Sardegna Arena was electric, and the players certainly fed off that energy.

Parma, on the other hand, will be kicking themselves. They created opportunities, no doubt about it, but their finishing was just not up to par. It felt like every time they got into a good position, the final ball or the shot was rushed. We noticed a real lack of composure in front of goal which ultimately cost them dearly against a resolute Cagliari defense.

The deadlock was broken just after the half-hour mark. A corner was whipped in and Yerry Mina rose highest, powering a header into the net. The second goal came late in the game from substitute Mattia Felici, sealing the three points and sending the home fans into raptures. It was a classic case of one team taking their chances and the other leaving them behind. Here are the Cagliari vs Parma player ratings:

Cagliari Player Ratings vs Parma

Here are the Cagliari player ratings:

Goalkeeper

Elia Caprile - 8.5: Absolutely outstanding. Our man of the match without a doubt. He made a total of six saves, several of which were top-drawer stops to deny Patrick Cutrone. What stood out to us was his command of the area; he claimed four high balls with such confidence. He was a calming presence and the foundation of this clean sheet. A truly brilliant performance.

Defenders

Sebastiano Luperto - 7.0: A very tidy and efficient performance at the back. He wasn't overly tested but did everything asked of him with minimal fuss. His pass accuracy was an impressive 93%, showing his composure on the ball. He won his single tackle and drew a couple of fouls to relieve pressure. Solid.

Yerry Mina - 8.0: A colossal performance from the big defender. Not only did he score the crucial opening goal with a thumping header, but he was immense defensively. From our perspective, his seven clearances were vital in keeping Parma at bay. He passed the ball with an incredible 96% accuracy, a rare sight for a center-back. A real leader.

Gabriele Zappa - 6.5: Had a pretty steady game before being substituted early in the second half. He was solid defensively, winning his tackle, but the yellow card was a blot on his copybook. He did his job without pulling up any trees. A decent, if unspectacular, outing for the captain.

Adam Obert - 7.5: We were very impressed with Obert. He read the game beautifully, making three interceptions and six clearances. He even managed to create a big chance going forward, showing his versatility. The only slight negative was his tendency to be a bit aggressive, conceding three fouls. Overall a very strong showing.

Midfielders

Michel Adopo - 6.0: A bit of a mixed performance, really. He worked hard and wasn't afraid to get stuck in, but he was a little clumsy at times. An error led to a shot for the opposition, which was concerning. He was so unlucky to see his own shot hit the woodwork. A game of what-ifs for him.

Gianluca Gaetano - 6.5: He looked lively and created a chance during his 54 minutes on the pitch. However, what stood out to us was how often he lost the ball—15 times in total. That's just too high. He showed flashes of quality but needed to be more secure in possession.

Matteo Prati - 7.0: The metronome in midfield. He kept possession ticking over with an excellent 91% pass completion rate. He wasn't flashy, but his simple, effective play provided a stable base for the more creative players to operate from. A quietly effective game.

Michael Folorunsho - 7.0: A real powerhouse performance. He was a nightmare for the Parma midfield, drawing four fouls and constantly driving forward. He attempted a few shots but couldn't quite find his range. His energy and physicality were key to Cagliari's midfield dominance.

Sebastiano Esposito - 7.5: He was the creative spark for much of the game. Creating three chances and winning eight of his eleven duels shows just how influential he was. The yellow card was unnecessary, but it doesn't take away from a very dynamic and impactful performance before he was subbed.

Forwards

Andrea Belotti - 6.0: It was a frustrating evening for the veteran striker. He worked hard and got into good positions but missed a big chance that you'd expect him to bury. He battled hard but couldn't seem to get the bounce of the ball before his unfortunate injury led to his substitution.

Substitutes

Mattia Felici - 7.5: The perfect impact substitute. Came on and sealed the game with a well-taken goal from a tight angle. You can't ask for much more than that.

Alessandro Deiola - 6.0: Brought on to add some defensive solidity but his main contribution was picking up a booking almost immediately.

Marco Palestra - 6.5: Slotted in seamlessly at right-back for Zappa and looked comfortable.

Gennaro Borrelli - 6.0: Replaced the injured Belotti but didn't have a clear-cut chance to make his mark.

Zé Pedro - N/A: Introduced too late in the game to warrant a rating.

Manager

F. Pisacane - 7.5: Got his tactics spot on. His team was defensively sound and ruthless when their chances came. His use of substitutes was masterful, with Felici's introduction proving to be a game-winning decision. A great day at the office for the gaffer.

Parma Player Ratings vs Cagliari

Here are the Parma player ratings:

Goalkeeper

Zion Suzuki - 5.0: A very shaky performance. An error leading to a goal is unforgivable at this level, and he looked nervy throughout. While he made three saves, he never inspired confidence in his backline. He'll want to forget this match quickly.

Defenders

Abdoulaye Ndiaye - 6.5: From our perspective, he was a real threat from set-pieces, winning six aerial duels and was unlucky to see a header fly just over. Defensively, he was part of a unit that conceded two goals, but he put in a decent individual effort, winning most of his battles.

Enrico Delprato - 6.0: A quiet game for the captain. He passed the ball well but struggled to make a significant impact defensively or going forward. We expected more leadership and presence from him in a tough away fixture. A distinctly average performance.

Alessandro Circati - 6.0: It was a busy evening for Circati. He made some important blocks and clearances but was also clumsy, committing four fouls. It felt like he was always in the thick of the action, for better or for worse. A very mixed bag.

Midfielders

Adrián Bernabé - 7.0: Parma's shining light in a dim performance. He was a creative force, creating two chances and always looking to make something happen. Winning nine duels showed his willingness to fight for the team. He was let down by the players around him.

Emanuele Valeri - 6.5: This was a frustrating performance to watch. He created an impressive four chances and his delivery was often dangerous. However, losing possession 24 times is an astonishingly high number. His final product was there, but his wastefulness cost his team momentum.

Mathias Løvik - 5.5: He really struggled to impose himself on the game. He was a passenger in midfield, offering little in terms of defensive cover or attacking thrust. It was no surprise to see him substituted just after the hour mark.

Oliver Sørensen - 5.5: Much like his midfield partner, Sørensen was largely anonymous. He was bypassed far too easily by the Cagliari midfield and couldn't get a foothold in the game. A very passive display.

Christian Ordóñez - 4.5: A disastrous 45 minutes. He was clumsy, committed several fouls, picked up a yellow card, and offered nothing positive. Being hooked at halftime was a mercy. Easily the worst performer on the pitch.

Forwards

Mateo Pellegrino - 5.0: We barely noticed he was playing. He had just 23 touches and lost possession 13 times. Winning only two of his ten duels tells the story of a striker who was completely outmuscled and out of his depth.

Patrick Cutrone - 6.0: He looked like the only Parma player who might score. He had three shots on target but was repeatedly denied by the brilliant Caprile. Ultimately, his two missed big chances were costly. He needed to be more clinical.

Substitutes

Gaetano Oristanio - 6.5: Brought a much-needed spark to the attack when he came on. He was incredibly unlucky to see his powerful shot cannon back off the crossbar.

Pontus Almqvist - 6.0: Looked energetic but couldn't produce a moment of quality in the final third.

Nahuel Estévez - 6.0: Came on late and tried to get involved but the game was already gone.

Milan Djuric - N/A: Not on long enough to make a real impact.

Mandela Keita - N/A: A late cameo with the result already decided.

Manager

C. Antón Cuesta - 5.5: His team looked disjointed and lacked a cutting edge. While they created some chances, the inefficiency in front of goal and the defensive lapse for the first goal point to tactical issues. His halftime sub was necessary, but his other changes failed to turn the tide.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Elia Caprile.