Cagliari snatched a late victory and some minor consolation in their season after defeating Cesena 1-0 at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi on Sunday afternoon in Serie A.
The two sides looked destined to share the spoils as a game with few chances drifted towards a goalless draw, but Marco Sau was the man on the spot in injury time to claim the three now academic points for the Rossoblu.
The game suffered from long spells played at a rather low tempo, which is perhaps unsurprising given the dire and now irreversible situation both teams find themselves in. But the match was not without its moments.
Paul-Jose M’Poku worked himself a good chance from the edge of the area only two minutes into the game but his shot was well wide.
Franco Brienza also spurned a decent opportunity after beating a lacklustre Nicola Murru on the right wing.
Luka Krajnc possibly had the best chance of the half when he sent a powerful header narrowly over bar with Zeljko Brkic beaten.
A delightful run down the left from Joao Pedro in the 22nd minute was the highlight of a meandering first half, but a diving Federico Agliardi kept the game goalless.
Diego Farias saw his effort brush the post two minutes later after getting clear of his man in the area.
With half time closing in, Cesena’s Grégoire Defrel let fly with a rasping left footed drive from distance but Brkic acrobatically denied the Frenchman.
Brkic had been the busier of the goalkeepers in the first 45 minutes, but in the opening stages of the second half it was Agliardi who was called into action.
Two smart saves were required, first to stop Antonio Balzano directed a strong header towards goal after outjumping two men, and then a minute later to prevent a good interchange by Farias and M’Poku ending up in the net.
The game remained remarkably cagey even beyond the hour mark, with both sides seemingly nervous of making mistakes despite the presence of any pressure with relegation to Serie B already assured.
Joao Pedro and Farias also had opportunities as Cagliari stepped up the pressure to find a goal but failed to hit the target.
Cesena still looked dangerous on the counter, and Defrel once more found himself with a chance to put the hosts ahead but his low strike was tipped wide by an outstretched Brkic.
M’Poku spent much of the last 15 minutes striving to find a breakthrough all on his own, but several impressive runs and attempts at goal were unable to test Agliardi, ending up in the stands.
A barnstorming finish to the match looked unlikely with both sides seemingly resigned to having poor ends to two poor respective Serie A campaigns.
However with just over a minute to play in injury time, Marco Sau snatched an ounce of pride and consolation for the visitors.
Stefano Lucchini switched off for a brief second and lost his man as Sau got clear and finished past Agliardi to put the Sardinians ahead and win the game with hardly any time left for Cesena to respond.
