Cagliari 3-2 Atalanta: Mendy and Borrelli seal thrilling comeback as hosts overturn early deficit at Unipol Domus.
Cagliari pulled off a remarkable comeback victory against Atalanta on April 27, winning 3-2 in a breathless Serie A encounter. Paul Mendy's lightning-fast double gave the hosts an unexpected lead, but Gianluca Scamacca's brace brought Atalanta level by halftime. Gennaro Borrelli's second-half strike proved decisive, securing three crucial points for the struggling home side.
The visitors arrived at Unipol Domus as clear favorites. Atalanta sat seventh in the table with 54 points from 34 matches, while Cagliari occupied 16th place with just 36 points. The hosts had won just one of their last five games, entering the match desperate for a positive result.
Cagliari stunned everyone with an explosive start. Mendy fired past Atalanta's goalkeeper in the opening minute, catching the visitors cold. Just seven minutes later, Mendy doubled the lead with another clinical finish, leaving Atalanta reeling after barely two minutes of football.
The away side responded with characteristic quality and possession. Atalanta controlled the ball but struggled to break down Cagliari's compact defense initially. However, Scamacca changed the game's complexion when he scored in the 40th minute, pulling one back before halftime.
Remarkably, Scamacca struck again almost immediately. In the 45th minute, he leveled the match, sending both teams into the break tied at 2-2. The turnaround had been swift and dramatic after Cagliari's dream start.
The second half began with Cagliari sensing an opportunity. Borrelli entered the pitch and made an instant impact. In the 47th minute, he fired the hosts ahead 3-2, giving Cagliari the lead they would not relinquish.
Atalanta pressed hard for an equalizer in the remaining minutes. The visitors dominated possession with 73 percent of the ball and created more chances overall. However, Cagliari's goalkeeper made crucial saves to preserve the lead.
The statistics reflected Atalanta's dominance in many areas. Atalanta completed 744 passes with 86 percent accuracy compared to Cagliari's 266 passes at 68 percent. The visitors also registered six shots on target to Cagliari's four, and boasted an expected goals figure of 1.72 versus Cagliari's 1.51.
Despite the statistical advantage, Atalanta could not find the breakthrough. Mendy's two-goal haul earned him an 8.3 rating, while Scamacca's double and tireless work earned him 8.5. Borrelli's crucial goal made him the unlikely hero.
This victory lifts Cagliari out of the relegation zone fight, offering breathing room in their battle for Serie A survival. Atalanta, meanwhile, remains seventh but faces questions about consistency after surrendering such a commanding position.
