| Cagliari drag themselves out of trouble with this win, but once again Udinese paid the price for their dismal disciplinary record. A run of three straight defeats saw the Sardinians slide to within one point of the danger zone, so a result here was imperative, but they were without the suspended Michele Ferri, Daniele Conti and Davide Biondini, while Antonio Langella was dropped. Udinese were equally torn apart by the Disciplinary Commission, as Antonio Di Natale, Marco Motta and Andrea Dossena were all sent off in last week's home defeat to Catania. The Friulani's last win here was in October 1999.
It was a very slow start with too much play in midfield and the first shot from Marchini after 18 minutes was well wide. Paulo Barreto's counter and a Simone Pepe free kick went close. Cagliari's best opportunity of the first half was a Pepe header that swung just wide as he sprung the offside trap. Udinese broke through on the stroke of half-time with Sulley Ali Muntari, though most of the credit goes to Vincenzo Iaquinta. The World Cup winner found space down the right inside the area and cut back for Muntari to come sliding in from six yards. Sardinian substitute D'Agostino had a fine opportunity, but his header was well turned on to the upright by Morgan De Sanctis. Cagliari got back into it with January signing Marchini, who arrived from Triestina mid-season. David Suazo opted to roll a corner kick back for Marchini's low drive rather than shoot himself and it proved a wise decision. Udinese's appalling disciplinary record continues, as Iaquinta was sent off for an elbow on Alessandro Budel. He insisted he had not done it on purpose and watched the rest of the game on the sidelines with Cagliari President Massimo Cellino, but he did jump with his arm raised. Playing against 10 men, Cagliari turned the game around in the final minutes. Marchini's low cross was not cleared effectively and substitute Capone pounced from eight yards. |