Cagliari 3-0 Livorno: Larrivey And Jeda Power Isolani Into Sixth Place

Livorno kicked off, but it was Cagliari who got their heels into the game instantly as Joaquin Larrivey headed home an Andrea Cossu free kick to give the home side a flying start after two minutes. The powerful striker rose high up above Nelson Rivas to beat the stranded Alfonso De Lucia. Serse Cosmi was furious with his team for the way they lost focus so early and he showed his frustration as he danced around on the touchline, throwing his coat on the floor.

Francesco Tavano heard the music coming from the bench and did well to create a chance. He spun around Diego Lopez, but the pass intended for Cristiano Lucarelli was wayward. Cagliari continued to attack though. They played with fluency and enthusiasm as chances rained down. Alessandro Matri should have done better when the ball fell kindly to him in the box. However, he delayed his shot, allowing Rivas to close him down. In doing so, the stopper tumbled Matri to the ground, but referee Angelo Giancola waved away appeals for a penalty.

Larrivey was lively and always ready to receive. Michele Cannini spotted his run, but the hitman was thwarted from grabbing his second as De Lucia was wide awake and came out to smother the danger. The Amaranto man was the busier of the two custodians. Federico Marchetti was rarely called into action from the away team who had trouble in breaking down their opponents. However, the Italian did well to scoop the ball off Lucarelli’s head following a good cross from Tavano.

With no real play to their game, Livorno struggled. It was Rivas who offered some hope when he went on a darting run. Cosmi was left punching the air in disbelief as the stopper’s left-foot finish was one to forget. The team needed a shade of luck, and they almost got it when a terrible mix up between Davide Astori and Marchetti almost allowed Lucarelli to pounce, but the Cagliari defender got a touch to clear the ball away.  De Lucia faired no better at the opposite end as his suspect clearance fell to Larrivey, but he failed to stick the ball into an unguarded net.

The game was soured by the home crowd who booed and jeered Rivas. A public announcement was aired warning fans to stop the discrimination or the match would be abandoned.

Matri should have got his name on the score sheet. Alessandro Agostini’s cross-shot took a wicked deflection and bounced up perfectly for Matri who lunged himself towards the ball, but failed to connect in front of goal, leaving Livorno to escape once again. The Italian hitman could have had a flurry of goals had his finishing been up to scratch. Andrea Lazzari poked the ball to Matri who cut inside Rivas, kept his footing despite being challenged, and unleashed a powerful effort straight at De Lucia.

Mozart offered his side a respite as they continued to play out of tune. The midfielder let fly from distance and forced a good save from Marchetti who had to dive low to his right to stop the ball from crossing the line. The Livorno midfielder was unlucky not to score when a well worked move involving Tavano, Lucarelli and Cristian Raimondi cut open the Rossoblu defence. The ball reached Mozart on the edge of the box, but his left-foot placement, which was destined for the far post, came back off Canini.

Just like the first half, Larrivey grabbed another early strike in the second to put an end to Livorno's hopes of getting anything, apart from a Cosmi roasting, from the game.

The Amaranto left themselves open and prone to danger when a quick break from Cagliari saw everyone caught out of position. De Lucia raced out of his box and half way up his own half to smother Matri's free run, but he was not prepared for Larrivey who followed close behind. The striker kept his composure to shoot from range and score as the ball bounced into an unguarded net. Defenders raced to scramble, but they were beaten by the pace of the shot. The goal marked a historic milestone as it was the club's 1100th in top-flight Calcio. Larrivey scored his fifth for the club, his third this term.

Davide Biondini was on song on the night and played some great touches. His finest should have been rewarded with a goal when he smashed a great right-foot strike. He bent the ball with the outside of his boot only to shave the post. De Lucia was rooted to the spot as the ball went behind by inches.

The game was over for Livorno as substitute Jeda scored with his second touch. Lazzari's header across the box found the hitman lurking at the back post, and he nodded home from point-blank range to grab his fifth of the season.

Cagliari are now up into sixth place and they have a game in hand against Udinese.