Venezia secured an important victory over Cagliari on December 22, 2024, triumphing 2-1 at Stadio Penzo. This match played a pivotal role for both teams as they battled to avoid relegation from Serie A. The victory saw Venezia climb to 13 points, just one point behind Cagliari, who now find themselves precariously positioned at 14 points.
The match began with Cagliari dominating the early exchanges, applying pressure to the Lagunari's defense. Joel Pohjanpalo for Venezia struggled to convert chances early on, with the Sardinians capitalizing on defensive lapses. But it was the home side who struck first against the run of play. At the 39-minute mark, Gaetano Oristanio made a penetrating run down the left flank, evading several defenders. He delivered a low cross to Francesco Zampano, who finished clinically from close range, marking his first-ever Serie A goal.
The first half saw remarkable heroics from Venezia's goalkeeper, Filip Stankovic, who made some spectacular saves—including one where he instinctively blocked a powerful header from Cagliari's Yerry Mina with his face. His performance would prove decisive as Cagliari played aggressively but failed to convert their opportunities.
Venezia started the second half with renewed vigor. Zampano's goal had ignited their spirits, and they quickly began to threaten again. Just moments before the hour mark, Venezia thought they had doubled their lead when Oristanio scored after fine buildup play. Unfortunately for them, it was flagged offside, with the technology confirming Pohjanpalo's narrow infringement.
Not to be discouraged, Venezia's persistence paid off. Marin Sverko stunned the Cagliari defense with another goal at the 67-minute mark. The Croatian defender, after recovering from a stumble, executed a surprising toe-poke, much to the astonishment of the defenders, where he found the back of the net, pushing the score to 2-0.
Cagliari, facing the prospect of defeat, responded urgently. Manager Nicola made tactical changes, bringing on veteran forward Leonardo Pavoletti. The substitution quickly paid dividends as Pavoletti scored with a well-placed header on 76 minutes, bringing Cagliari back within one goal.
This set the stage for what became a tense finale, with Cagliari pressing hard for the equalizer. Stankovic, proving to be the standout performer of the match, showcased his capabilities again as he deftly saved two close-range efforts from Gianluca Lapadula, solidifying his reputation as Venezia's hero for the day.
Despite the relentless pressure from Cagliari, Venezia held on for the precious three points, extending their relegation battle hopes. This victory marked Venezia's first since October 30 and reignited optimism among fans and players alike.
With this win, Venezia signaled their intent to fight tooth and nail to escape the relegation zone, as they prepare to confront the upcoming challenges of the Serie A season. The remarkable performance from Stankovic and the contributions from players like Oristanio and Sverko highlighted the team's fighting spirit and determination.
For Cagliari, this defeat compounded their struggles, marking their fourth consecutive loss across all competitions. They will need to regroup quickly if they wish to maintain their position in the league.
Venezia’s performance serves as both a reminder of their potential and the sheer unpredictability of football, as they look forward to their next fixture with renewed hope and vigor.
