Salernitana vs Cagliari 2-2: Dia Rescues Draw on Inzaghi’s Debut

Serie A basement boys Salernitana and Cagliari shared the spoils in a breathtaking 2-2 draw at Stadio Arechi. Filippo Inzaghi’s debut didn’t go according to plan, as Granata had to fight back twice to salvage a point.

Following the club’s worst-ever eight-game start in Serie A (D3, L5), Salernitana sacked underperforming manager Paulo Sousa and appointed Inzaghi as his successor during the international break. Back to top-flight management after a two-year hiatus, the ex-Milan striker had a glorious opportunity to get his managerial tenure off to a decent start. 

However, in a relatively uneventful first half, Salernitana failed to create a single promising chance in front of Simone Scuffet’s goal. Cagliari had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes as Matteo Prati produced a superb striker from the edge of the box, forcing Benoit Costil to make a fabulous save.

Neither side managed to ripple the net until the 79th minute. But the last ten minutes of the game put the Stadio Arechi crowd through an emotional rollercoaster. Zito Luvumbo broke the deadlock with another poacher’s finish after receiving a precise through ball from Jakub Jankto.

Cagliari’s celebrations were short-lived as Boulaye Dia leveled the score moments later. Unmarked inside the Salernitana box, the Senegalese forward picked out the bottom corner to give Inzaghi some hope of a potential comeback. It wasn’t to be. 

Second-half substitute Nicola Viola restored Cagliari’s lead in the next attack. He got his foot on the end of Eldor Shomurodov’s teasing cross in the 89th minute. It looked like Claudio Ranieri could be on the verge of posting his first Serie A win this season.

Unfortunately, referee Daniele Chiffi awarded a stoppage-time penalty for Salernitana for a handball. Dia took the responsibility and made no mistake, rescuing a point for Inzaghi on his touchline debut. A draw leaves both sides nailed to the foot of the table.