Cagliari vs Fiorentina: Serie A 2020-2021

A bottom-of-the-table clash doesn’t usually offer a lot of technical excellence, but at this time of year, it can provide a certain tension that no other type of fixture can. Fiorentina, knowing that either a win or a draw/loss from Benevento at Atalanta would mathematically ensure Serie A for next year, should have had every reason to go after this one. Cagliari, even farther back in the standings, could’ve used 3 points even more.

After Leonardo Pavoletti headed over just a couple of minutes in, we thought this could be a fascinating, end-to-end affair. Instead, we got a biscotto. Neither team made any effort to get forward in a shameful display of gamesmanship. This was the first Serie A match this season that didn’t feature a single shot on target for either team, if that gives you a little bit of an idea how dire it was.

Even so, we covered it. Heaven have mercy on our souls, but we did all the usual things we do. There was a preview, a match thread, a “highlights” (and I use that term very loosely) article, some player grades, and some analysis. It’s a real shame that we treated this one more like a real, honest-to-god fixture than the team did. I can’t imagine why you’d want to revisit this abomination, but hey, the heart wants what it wants.