When Yerry Mina, the Colombian centre‑back for Cagliari Calcio tucked away the opening goal in the 33rd minute, the Sardinian faithful at Unipol Domus knew the match could swing in their favour.
Two weeks earlier, the same stadium had hosted a dull draw, but on Saturday, September 13, 2025, the hosts turned the tide against Parma Calcio 1913. The referee, Francesco Fourneau, blew the whistle for a clean 2‑0 win that gifted Cagliari three vital points in Serie A 2025-26 round three.
Season Snapshot
Before the clash, Cagliari perched in 12th place with a solitary point from a 1‑1 draw at home against Napoli, while Parma lingered just above the relegation zone after a 0‑0 stalemate in their opening game. Both teams had struggled to find rhythm – the Blues hoping to build on their defensive solidity, the Gialloblu desperate for an attacking spark.
Coach Fabio Liverani (Cagliari) had promised a more aggressive press, whereas Parma’s boss Roberto D'Aversa emphasized patience and compactness. The stage was set for a tactical chess match on Sardinia’s sun‑baked pitch.
Match Narrative
The first half unfolded as a cagey affair. Parma’s midfield trio of Gianluca Franchini, Alessio Galletti and Luca Bianchetti tried to carve out space, but Cagliari’s backline stayed compact.
Then, in the 33rd minute, a swift corner from Giovanni Esposito found Mina rising above his marker. The header looped over Parma’s keeper, Alessandro Farinelli, and into the net. "It felt like a perfect timing," Mina later recalled. "The ball met my head, and I just knew it was in."
Parma pressed for an equaliser before the break, but the Sardinians held firm, forcing Fourneau to issue a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Mattia Felici just before halftime.
The second half saw Cagliari adopt a more expansive shape. In the 77th minute, a flowing move from the midfield saw Mattia Felici receive a low pass on the edge of the box. He slipped past his defender and struck a precise low drive that beat Farinelli at his near post.
"That goal was a breath of fresh air for us," Felici said in the post‑match interview. "We knew we had to finish our chances, and the lads delivered." The final whistle confirmed a 2‑0 win, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.
Key Performances
- Yerry Mina – 1 goal, dominant aerial presence; completed 5 clearances and 3 interceptions.
- Mattia Felici – 1 goal, 2 shots on target, created 1 key pass; showed composure beyond his years.
- Goalkeeper Michele Caprile – 4 saves, commanded the box, earned the man‑of‑the‑match vote from the local press.
- Parma’s midfielder Gianluca Franchini – 83% pass accuracy, kept Parma in the game despite the loss.
Reactions from the Bench
Coach Liverani lauded his side’s discipline: "We stuck to the plan, we were patient, and the goals came at the right moments. The fans deserved this victory." He also hinted at a tactical tweak – a back‑four shift to a three‑centre‑back system for the next fixture, aiming to boost attacking fluidity.
Parma’s D'Aversa, visibly disappointed, admitted: "We lacked the cutting edge today. We’ll regroup, work on our finishing, and try to bounce back against Juventus next week." The coach’s candidness resonated with his players, who gathered for a quick debrief before heading to the locker rooms.
Implications for the Table
The win propelled Cagliari up to 9th place with four points, narrowing the gap to the top‑half clubs. Their defensive record improved to two clean sheets in three matches, a statistic that could become a cornerstone of their season.
Parma, meanwhile, slipped to 17th with just one point, edging closer to the relegation battle. Their goal‑difference worsened to –2, emphasizing the urgency of securing points in the upcoming fixtures.
Historical Rivalry
Historically, Cagliari enjoys a slight edge in the head‑to‑head tally: 12 wins, 8 losses, and 11 draws across 31 meetings. The clubs have exchanged 41‑35 goals, with Cagliari averaging 1.32 goals per encounter and conceding just 1.13. This latest result continues that trend, reinforcing the Sardinian side's dominance at home.
Yet, the rivalry has produced memorable moments – a 4‑2 thriller in 2019 and a dramatic 1‑0 win for Parma in 2022. Fans on both sides know that even a "straight‑forward" fixture can flip in a heartbeat.
Looking Ahead
Cagliari’s next challenge is an away trip to Bologna on September 21, where they will test their newfound confidence against a mid‑table side fighting for European spots. If the defense stays as tight as it was against Parma, they could cement a top‑ten finish.
Parma, on the other hand, must regroup quickly for a high‑stakes clash with Juventus. A point against the reigning champions could be the catalyst to climb out of the relegation zone.
Key Facts
- Match date: 13 September 2025, 13:00 UTC
- Venue: Unipol Domus (Sardegna Arena), Cagliari
- Final score: Cagliari 2, Parma 0
- Scorers: Yerry Mina (33′), Mattia Felici (77′)
- Referee: Francesco Fourneau
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect Cagliari’s position in the Serie A table?
The 2‑0 victory lifts Cagliari to ninth place with four points, closing the gap to the top‑half clubs to just three points. It also improves their defensive record to two clean sheets in three games, boosting confidence for upcoming fixtures.
What were the most decisive moments in the match?
Mina’s headed goal from a corner in the 33rd minute broke the deadlock, and Felici’s low finish in the 77th minute sealed the win. Both goals came after periods of sustained pressure from Cagliari and highlighted their clinical edge.
What did Parma’s coach say after the defeat?
Roberto D'Aversa admitted the side lacked cutting‑edge in attack, promising to work on finishing in training. He emphasized the need to bounce back quickly, especially with a tough clash against Juventus looming.
How does this result fit into the historical rivalry between the clubs?
Cagliari’s win extends their slight historical advantage – 12 wins to Parma’s 8 in 31 meetings. The goal difference remains in Cagliari’s favour (41‑35), reinforcing the pattern of Sardinian dominance at home.
What are the upcoming fixtures for both teams?
Cagliari travel to Bologna on 21 September, hoping to maintain momentum. Parma faces Juventus at home a week later, a match that could prove pivotal for their survival hopes.
Ayan Kumar
October 6, 2025 AT 00:14What a theatrical night at Unipol Domus! Yerry Mina rose like a colossus in the 33rd minute, his header slicing through the Parma defense with surgical precision. The crowd roared as the ball kissed the net, marking the first decisive moment of the match. At halftime, the Sardinians looked poised, and the second half only cemented their dominance. All in all, a performance that blended drama with disciplined defending.
Nitin Jadvav
October 10, 2025 AT 22:44Oh, look at Cagliari finally pulling together-who would’ve thought a corner could be more exciting than a mid‑week meeting? Liverani’s tactical tweaks paid off, although I’m sure the coach had to pull a few strings to get that out of Mina. Still, the result is sweet, and Parma can go home and practice patience for next week. Cheers to the Sardinians, I guess.
Adrish Sinha
October 15, 2025 AT 21:14Nice job Cagliari, that win really lifts the spirits! Mina’s header gave everyone a boost, and Felici’s finish was the cherry on top. The team showed they can stick to the plan and still have fun out there. Looking forward to seeing them keep the momentum going.
finlay moss
October 20, 2025 AT 19:44ok so wtf did u all miss? every single minute that Parma held the ball was just them trying to make space but Cagliari’s back four was like a wall impoosible to break. also Mina’s goal was not just luck it was a perfect angle we all know from stats. i dont get why anyone thinks this match was boring.
Carl Gough
October 25, 2025 AT 18:14Whoa! That game was a burst of pure energy-Mina’s soaring header and Felici’s razor‑sharp strike lit the stadium on fire! The Sardinians turned a modest press into an attacking masterpiece, and the fans could feel every pulse. Let’s keep that fire alive as they head to Bologna; they’ve got the spark now.