The Sardinian side are targeting a return to the top flight of Italian football form the first time of asking under Claudio Ranieri, while the visitors are aiming for back-to-back promotion into the big time.
Follow Us
Cagliari will host Bari in the first leg of their Serie B playoff final at Sardegna Arena on Thursday. The hosts reached this far in the race for promotion to the top tier thanks to 3-2 aggregate win over Parma in the semi-final tie, while Bari overcame Suditrol on the back of a superior finish (third place) in the second tier standings after the two-legged tie ended 1-1. The Sardinian side are targeting a return to the top flight of Italian football form the first time of asking under Claudio Ranieri, while the visitors are aiming for back-to-back promotion into the big time.
“Vogliamo ringraziare i nostri tifosi, possiamo farlo solo giocando con il cuore. Il risultato è figlio di tanti fattori, ma se hai dato tutto esci sempre a testa alta, quindi dovremo mettere in campo il nostro solito spirito”.
❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/wEY7zYGJ0N
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) June 6, 2023
Cagliari secured a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Parma in the first leg of their semi-final playoff tie against Parma towards the end of last month at Sardegna Arena. After Parma had taken a 2-0 lead inside the opening half-hour mark, Ranieri’s men came out all guns blazing in the second half and scored three goals thanks to Zian Luvumbo’s brace and Gianluca Lapadula’s penalty kick. Four days later, Gli Isolani played out a tense goalless draw at Stadio Tardini and ended goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon’s hopes of a top flight return at the age of 45. Although, the result ended Red and Blue’s six-game winning run, Ranieri’s men are unbeaten at home since losing out to Venezia on October 1.
Bari, on the other hand, secured a spot in the playoff courtesy of finishing third in the second tier standings, with 65 points to their name, eight adrift of the top two (Automatic qualification spots). And then, Michele Mignan’s men trailed 1-0 to Sudtirol heading into the second leg of their playoff semi-final last week, but Bari came out fighting at Stadio San Nicola on Friday evening and a 1-0 home-win meant progress to the final by virtue of a better league-finish than the South Tyrol side. Meanwhile, Bari secured a 1-0 win in their previous visit to the Sardegna Arena back in September last year and they earned a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture almost five months later. In fact, Bari had the second-best away-record in the league this term, having taken 35 points from 19 outings.
Cagliari probable starting lineup: Radunovic, Zappa, Goldaniga, Altare, Azzi, Makombou, Rog, Nandez, Viola, Luvumbo, Lapadula
Bari probable starting lineup: Caprile, Dorval, Di Cesare, Vicari, Mazzotta, Maita, Maiello, Benedetti, Esposito, Cheddira, Antenucci
Cagliari
| Opponents | Score |
| Parma | 0-0 (D) |
| Parma | 3-2 (W) |
| Venezia | 2-1 (W) |
| Cosenza | 0-1 (W) |
| Palermo | 2-1 (W) |
Bari
| Opponents | Score |
| Sudtirol | 1-0 (W) |
| Sudtirol | 1-0 (L) |
| Genoa | 4-3 (L) |
| Bari | 1-0 (W) |
| Modena | 1-1 (D) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Bari draw Cagliari | 1-1 |
| Bari beat Cagliari | 0-1 |
| Cagliari beat Bari | 3-0 |
| Cagliari beat Bari | 2-1 |
| Cagliari beat Bari | 2-1 |
The first leg of the Segunda Division playoff final between Cagliari and Bari will take place at Sardegna Arena on Friday at 12:00 am IST.
| Cagliari vs Bari | Key Details |
| Date | June 8 (Italy) |
| Venue | Sardegna Arena |
| Kickoff time in Italy | 8:30 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 12:00 am (Friday) |
The football fans in Italy can catch the live action via Sky Sport 251, Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Go Italia, Helbiz, NOWTV, DAZN and Sky Sport 4k.
More football news:
Lionel Messi to Inter Miami: Is the Argentinian heading to USA?
