Serie A | Cagliari 1-2 Como: Spectacular Da Cunha raises ambition

Como continue their march on the Champions League places with a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Como, thanks to Martin Baturina and a Lucas Da Cunha stunner.

The Lariani climbed into fifth place with back-to-back victories over Juventus and Lecce, then held Inter to a 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg draw on Tuesday. Jayden Addai was the only long-term absentee, whereas the Sardinians were decimated by injuries to Yerry Mina, Luca Mazzitelli, Gianluca Gaetano, Alessandro Deiola, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti, so Michael Folorunsho was a False 9.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Como took the lead with their first chance of the game, winning it back in midfield, then Lucas Da Cunha’s scuffed finish turned into an assist for Martin Baturina to sweep home from close range.

Cagliari should’ve equalised on the half-hour mark, as first Michael Folorunsho’s strike was charged down, then the move continued and Ibrahim Sulemana hit a fresh-air shot on Marco Palestra’s roll across from 12 yards.

Como lost Maxi Perrone to a bruised thigh, replaced by Mergim Vojvoda and dropping Baturina into midfield.

The hosts did equalise when Palestra surged up the right from his own half and put in a cross, the Adam Obert scuffed volley turned into an accidental assist for Sebastiano Esposito’s diving header from seven yards.

Ze Pedro provided brave defending by charging down a Nico Paz screamer with his face, Juan Rodriguez doing the same on an acrobatic Alvaro Morata attempt.

Palestra was booked for simulation after squirming between two and losing his balance, but Como restored their lead thanks to a sensational strike from Lucas Da Cunha. He gathered 20 metres from goal and unleashed an unstoppable effort off the outside of the left boot, swerving into the far top corner.

A corner was flicked on by Gabriele Zappa for Semih Kilicsoy at the back post, cleared with difficulty by Marc-Oliver Kempf.

Jean Butez needed a fantastic fingertip save to push the Michel Adopo strike round the base of the near post.

Cagliari 1-2 Como

Baturina 14 (Co), Esposito 56 (Ca), Da Cunha 76 (Co)