The first goal of the season for the new Cagliari 2024-2025 is scored by Roberto Piccoli. At half-time, in the thirty-second finals of the Coppa Italia, the rossoblù are ahead 2-0 against Carrarese at the Domus: the doubling is by captain Pavoletti.
Davide Nicola, for his official debut with Cagliari, surprisingly chooses a 3-4-2-1 mirroring Carrarese: Luvumbo and Piccoli play in support of Pavoletti. Azzi is deployed on the right after Zortea was spared due to a blow to the shoulder. Luperto makes his debut in defense, with the returning Marin in midfield with Deiola.
First attempt at 4', on a cross from the right by Zappa, Pavoletti tries an acrobatic backheel and sends it high. At 6', following a throw-in, Piccoli heads the ball and Bleve dives to block. On a nice move by Cagliari at 14', Pavoletti first serves Marin, passes to the right for Luvumbo and his low shot only hits the outside of the net.
After the cooling break in the 26th minute, necessary due to the intense heat despite the 9:15 pm kick-off, Cagliari takes the lead: it's the 33rd minute, Luperto recovers the ball twice in midfield and launches Piccoli who beats Bleve with his left foot on the first intention. Cerri protests for a foul at the start of the move but it's to no avail: 1-0 and a debut goal for the new rossoblù striker. Piccoli also doubles the lead in the 41st minute, because he heads a free kick from Marin, finding an involuntary deflection by Pavoletti, who should still be credited with the goal as he was the one who made the last touch.
We go to half time after two minutes of recovery time.