Cagliari secured their first home victory of the new Serie A campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Lecce at the Unipol Domus, avoiding three consecutive home defeats in all competitions for the first time since October 2025.
The opening stages were largely uneventful, with Daniel Maldini registering the first notable chance inside the opening 15 minutes. His effort from inside the box took a deflection and sailed over the crossbar.
Lecce responded midway through the first half when Lassana Coulibaly’s close-range header appeared destined for the net, only for Elia Caprile to produce an excellent save and turn the ball around the post.
Cagliari broke the deadlock shortly before the half-hour mark from a set-piece. Lecce’s defence switched off, leaving Maldini completely unmarked, and the forward made them pay with a powerful header from Jacopo Fazzini’s pinpoint corner.
The goal boosted the hosts’ confidence, with Adam Obert forcing Wladimiro Falcone into a save with a long-range effort in the 39th minute.
Lecce nearly restored parity before the interval, however, as Nikola Štulić tested Caprile with a fierce strike from around 15 yards. The Cagliari goalkeeper reacted sharply to palm the effort away and preserve his side’s lead at half-time.
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Cagliari started the second half strongly and came within inches of doubling their advantage just 45 seconds after the restart. Paul Mendy’s close-range effort struck the post, much to Lecce’s relief.
Maldini continued to pose a constant threat and went close again on the hour mark, sending a 20-yard effort narrowly wide.
The forward came even closer to a second goal shortly afterwards when his free-kick from a dangerous position rattled the woodwork. Cagliari continued to dominate the chances and should arguably have put the contest beyond doubt.
With full-time approaching, the hosts pushed forward in search of a decisive second goal. Substitutes Alieu Fadera and Alessandro Sugamele both came close to sealing the victory, but neither could find the finishing touch.
One goal ultimately proved enough, as Lecce struggled to create a late opening capable of rescuing a point.
The victory lifts Cagliari into the top half of the Serie A table with six points from their opening three matches. Fabio Pisacane’s side will next travel to face Atalanta on Saturday.
Lecce, meanwhile, have now suffered only their second defeat in six away head-to-head meetings with Cagliari, having recorded two wins and two draws during that run. The Salentini will look to bounce back on Sunday when they host Monza in Serie A.
