Cagliari-Bologna 0-2: Ndoye the Decisive Factor, Pagelle
The Stadio Unipol Domus witnessed a hard-fought victory for Bologna, who triumphed 2-0 over Cagliari in the 18th round of Serie A. A brace from Musa Barrow, aided by a crucial assist from Adama Soumaoro, was enough to secure the three points and solidify Bologna's position in the top half of the table.
Bologna's Dominance and Cagliari's Struggle
The match was a tale of two contrasting styles. Bologna displayed a determined and organized approach, effectively suffocating Cagliari's attacking attempts. They pressed high, disrupted the flow of Cagliari's possession, and efficiently converted their chances.
On the other hand, Cagliari struggled to gain any momentum. Their midfield was overrun by Bologna's pressure, leaving their forwards isolated and lacking opportunities. The home team's lack of incisiveness and creativity was evident throughout the game.
Ndoye's Impact
Musa Barrow's performance was pivotal for Bologna. He consistently threatened the Cagliari defense with his pace and movement. He opened the scoring in the 24th minute, expertly volleying Soumaoro's cross past a helpless Radunovic. His second goal, a delightful solo effort in the 62nd minute, underlined his individual brilliance and sealed the victory for his team.
Pagelle
Cagliari:
- Radunovic (5.5): Had little to do in the first half but was powerless to stop Barrow's powerful strike for the second goal.
- Zappa (5): Struggled to contain the pace of Barrow on the right flank.
- Goldaniga (5.5): A steady presence at the back, but was unable to prevent Bologna from creating clear-cut chances.
- Dossena (5): Played a decent match but lacked the support necessary to effectively counter Bologna's attacks.
- Lykogiannis (5): Struggled to get into the game, offering little offensive threat.
- Grassi (5.5): Played with passion but lacked the composure to influence the midfield battle.
- Marin (5): Was unable to dictate the tempo of the match, failing to unlock Cagliari's attacking potential.
- Pereiro (5): Looked isolated and frustrated, with few chances to showcase his skills.
- Pavoletti (5.5): Worked hard but was starved of service, unable to make a significant impact.
- Ounas (5): A largely ineffective performance, offering little threat in the final third.
- Dalbert (5.5): Substituted early in the second half.
Bologna:
- Skorupski (6.5): Had a comfortable match, making a couple of routine saves.
- Posch (6.5): A strong defensive performance, effectively nullifying Cagliari's attacks.
- Soumaoro (7.5): Dominated the air, provided a crucial assist for Barrow's opener, and played with authority throughout.
- Lucumí (7): A solid presence in the heart of the defense, contributing to Bologna's clean sheet.
- Cambiaso (6): A solid performance, providing good support in attack and defense.
- Medel (6.5): A commanding presence in midfield, winning battles and dictating the tempo.
- Ferguson (6): A tireless worker in the middle of the park, adding energy and intensity to Bologna's play.
- Aebischer (6.5): Provided creative spark in the middle, contributing to Bologna's attacking fluidity.
- Orsolini (6): Offered glimpses of brilliance but lacked consistency in his performance.
- Barrow (8): The star of the show, scoring a brace and showcasing his incredible talent.
- Arnautovic (6): A tireless workhorse, creating space and opportunities for his teammates.
Looking Ahead
Bologna's victory reinforces their ambitions for a top-half finish this season. They have proven themselves to be a well-organized and effective team, capable of challenging even the top teams in Serie A. Cagliari, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to regain their attacking potency if they want to avoid a relegation battle.