Cagliari 1–2 Hellas Verona | Coppa Italia | 3 September 2026

Result Summary

Hellas Verona produced a disciplined and clinical performance at the Uniposta Arena to eliminate Cagliari from the Coppa Italia, winning 2–1 despite facing a home side that dominated large portions of the contest. Abdoulrahmane Harroui's opener and Samuele Mulattieri's late winner proved the difference, as Verona converted their moments of quality into a deserved victory on the night.

Match Analysis

Cagliari, under coach Fabio Pisacane, were the more industrious side throughout, registering 14 total shots to Verona's 9, controlling 61% of possession, and generating 124 attacks compared to Hellas Verona's 84. On paper, the numbers painted the picture of a home side firmly in the driving seat — yet football's fundamental truth reasserted itself: shots on target matter more than volume.

Hellas Verona registered 5 shots on target to Cagliari's 4, and that marginal edge in clinical efficiency proved decisive. Marco Baroni's side, lining up with Andrias Edmundsson, Dailon Livramento, and Grigoris Kastanos among their starters, showed tremendous defensive organisation and punished Cagliari on the counter.

The opening blow came in the 23rd minute, when Abdoulrahmane Harroui converted with a right-foot shot, assisted by Dailon Livramento. It was a goal that rewarded Verona's patience and directness in the first half.

Cagliari responded positively after the break. Paul Mendy drew the hosts level in the 57th minute with a composed left-foot finish, assisted by Alieu Fadera, and the match appeared poised for a tense finale. Pisacane had introduced Adam Obert and Alessandro Romano at the interval to freshen things up, and the equaliser suggested the tactical adjustments were bearing fruit.

However, Verona's half-time introduction of Samuele Mulattieri would prove the defining decision of the evening. The striker, on for Amin Sarr, made an immediate impact on the game's shape and ultimately delivered the winning goal in the 87th minute — a right-foot shot that sent Verona through. The closing stages saw three yellow cards distributed between the 66th and 73rd minutes — Edoardo Iannoni and Seid Korac for Verona, Michel Ndary Adopo for Cagliari — reflecting the growing tension as Cagliari pushed desperately for an equaliser that never came.

Cagliari's 6 corners to Verona's 2, and their 88% successful pass rate versus Verona's 84%, further underline how Cagliari controlled the game's rhythm without unlocking the Verona defence when it truly mattered.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match analysis had forecast a Cagliari victory (1–0) with a confidence level of 56/100, reflecting understandable uncertainty given the cup context and squad rotations. Assigning a 26% probability to an away Verona win acknowledged the upset potential, and that outcome duly materialised. The prediction was incorrect — though the statistical dominance of Cagliari did partially align with our expectations of home control. What we underestimated was Verona's clinical edge and Baroni's tactical acumen in maximising impact through key substitutions, most notably Mulattieri's introduction at half-time.

Key Takeaways

• Efficiency trumped dominance: Cagliari's superior possession and attacking volume were neutralised by Verona's sharper finishing.
• Substitutions shaped the result: Mulattieri's introduction at half-time directly influenced the match's decisive moment.
• Harroui and Mulattieri were Verona's match-winners, both finding the net in crucial moments.
• Hellas Verona under Marco Baroni advance, demonstrating the value of tactical flexibility and composure under pressure.