Serie A | Cagliari 3-0 Monza – Isolani survival boost, Nesta doomed | OneFootball

Cagliari secured a six-point buffer between themselves and the Serie A relegation zone after a 2-0 victory at home against relegation-bound Monza in Sunday’s early kick-off slot, thanks to second-half strikes from Nicolas Viola, Gianluca Gaetano and Zito Luvumbo.

With the international break bringing an opportunity to reset on a physical level, neither side made too many alterations from their most recent line-ups. The hosts made two changes as Tommaso Augello and Mattia Felici came in to replace Adam Obert and Alessandro Deiola, while Alessandro Nesta swapped Kevin Zeroli out for Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro in Monza’s only change.

Cagliari’s Nicolas Viola, not to be confused with his opposition namesake, had the closest chance for the home side in the opening period, nodding just wide of Stefano Tuarti’s net from the centre of the area after an enticing ball in from Nadir Zortea on the right flank.

Monza’s Giorgos Kyriakopoulos stung the palms of Elia Caprile, while Alessandro Bianco tested the ‘keeper from 20 yards out, which drew a routine save. The Greek full-back tried again from the corner of the six-yard box, but found the wrong side of the side netting, resulting in a goal-kick.

Nicolas Viola found the breakthrough for the hosts a few minutes after the re-start. Augello’s sweeping cross in from the left flank was perfectly placed for his teammate to nod home from the middle of the area. Michel Adopo also challenged for the header, which appeared to cause a bit of confusion among the Monza defenders.

CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 30: Nicolas Viola of Cagliari scores his goal 1-0 during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Monza at Sardegna Arena on March 30, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Gaetano doubled his side’s advantage with 20 minutes remaining, bending a well-struck direct free-kick into the far side netting from 25 yards out, helped slightly by a chaotic wall that allowed the ball to be hit through them.

Luvumbo wrapped up the three points with a quick, route one move in stoppage time. Previous goalscorer Gaetano provided the lofted ball over the top for his teammate to latch onto with the whole of the opposition half to run into. Luvumbo made no mistake in slotting past Turati for 3-0.

Sunday’s result means that Cagliari are still in 15th place, but are now up to 29 points for the season, which puts them six ahead of Empoli in the relegation zone. Monza, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of the table with a measly 15 points from 30 matches, meaning that they are currently 27 points worse off than they were at this stage last season.

N.Viola 49 (C), Gaetano 73 (C), Luvumbo 92 (C)