From Piola to Allegri against Bonucci: because Cagliari-Bari is not just any match

If the statistics, at least the recent ones, mean anything, it cannot be denied that Cagliari will start as favorites over Bari in the double final with a view to promotion to Serie A. It will be the first meeting between the two teams outside the regular season. There are 44 precedents in total between Sardinians and Puglia: 15 successes for the former, 19 draws and 10 victories for the red and whites. The last one came on 17 September last, when a goal by Walid Cheddira, just under a quarter of an hour from the end, broke a fast of red and white successes that had lasted for twenty-one years (1-2 on 9 September 2001 in Serie B). Fasting that has lasted for twenty-three years at home, where the red and white have not imposed themselves since the 1-0 draw on 2 April 2000 in Serie A. The last time, on 17 September 2022, the goal by the Italian-Moroccan projects the red and white by Michele Mignani in third place. While Cagliari, then led by Fabio Liverani, sacked on 20 December after a 2-1 draw with Palermo, stopped at Leonardo Pavoletti’s post and remained in the rear. Claudio Ranieri returned to the Sardinian bench on 23 December and, with 35 points won in 19 games (including the 1-1 draw at San Nicola in the second leg), led his team to the playoffs. Below, we recall the most intriguing challenges played in Sardinia between Cagliari and Bari.