Cagliari 1‑1 Juventus: Kolo Muani rescues late point

Randal Kolo Muani rescued a point for Juventus with an 81st-minute equaliser at Cagliari, denying the hosts a fifth Serie A victory in six games. Daniel Maldini’s 20th-minute opener had separated the sides for more than an hour, but a late contribution from half-time substitute Kerim Alajbegović helped Juventus turn their considerable advantage in possession and attempts into a 1-1 draw.

HIGHLIGHTS | Cagliari-Juventus 1-1 | SERIE A ENILIVE

Paul Mendy supplied the assist for Maldini to break the deadlock, giving Cagliari a lead they took into half-time. The hosts made their limited opportunities count: that opener was one of only four shots they recorded across the match, with two of those efforts on target.

Juventus had already seen Weston McKennie booked in the 17th minute, and the midfielder made way for Alajbegović at the interval. That change became central to the visitors’ recovery, with the substitute eventually providing the assist that prevented Cagliari from turning their first-half advantage into three points.

The hosts kept their lead intact for another 36 minutes after the restart. When the equaliser arrived, Alajbegović supplied Kolo Muani to bring Juventus level with nine minutes of normal time remaining. Cagliari had led from the 20th minute until the 81st; one late Juventus goal changed the return on that long spell ahead.

The visitors’ attacking totals explain why the equaliser mattered beyond its timing. Juventus recorded 22 shots to Cagliari’s four, while their 10 attempts on target were five times the hosts’ total. Yet that volume produced just one goal, leaving Kolo Muani’s intervention essential to their return from the match.

Possession was similarly weighted towards Juventus, who had 72% of the ball against Cagliari’s 28%. They also won nine corners to the hosts’ one. Those figures establish the visitors’ greater share of the ball and shooting opportunities, but Cagliari’s early goal meant Juventus spent most of the contest needing a response rather than defending an advantage.

For Cagliari, the frustration lies in how close they came to converting an economical attacking display into victory. Maldini’s finish had given them something to protect despite the disparity in attempts. The equaliser left them with one point instead of three, although their own two shots on target brought the same scoring return as Juventus’ 10.

Alajbegović’s involvement was the telling contribution from the bench. Introduced with Juventus trailing 1-0, he supplied the assist for the only goal of the second half. His role gave the visitors a concrete reward from their interval changes and linked their recovery directly to a player who had not started the match.

Both clubs extended established scoring runs. Juventus have now scored in each of their last eight matches, while Cagliari have found the net in each of their last five. This time, Maldini’s first-half goal and Kolo Muani’s late response maintained those sequences without either side finding a second goal.

Cagliari’s latest five-match league sequence now reads one defeat, three wins and this draw. Juventus have two wins, two draws and one defeat across their last five. The result also adds a second draw to the six meetings between these clubs since July 2024, a period in which Juventus have won three times and Cagliari once.

For the best moments, official highlights are available on the Cagliari Calcio and Serie A channels. The goals to revisit are Maldini’s 20th-minute opener, assisted by Mendy, and Kolo Muani’s 81st-minute equaliser, created by Alajbegović.

After six league matches, Cagliari have 13 points from four wins, one draw and one defeat, keeping them two points ahead of Juventus. The visitors have 11 points from three wins, two draws and one defeat. Kolo Muani’s late goal preserved that two-point gap; Cagliari retain the stronger early-season return, while Juventus leave with a point rather than allowing the hosts to pull further away.

Questions

Who scored in Cagliari's 1-1 draw with Juventus?

Daniel Maldini put Cagliari ahead in the 20th minute, assisted by Paul Mendy. Randal Kolo Muani equalised for Juventus in the 81st minute, with Kerim Alajbegović providing the assist.

How did Juventus substitute Kerim Alajbegović affect the match?

Alajbegović replaced Weston McKennie at half-time with Juventus trailing 1-0. He then assisted Kolo Muani’s late equaliser.

How many points do Cagliari and Juventus have after the draw?

Cagliari have 13 points from six matches, while Juventus have 11. Cagliari remain two points ahead of Juventus.