Gianfranco Zola secured his second victory in four games as Cagliari coach with a precious 2-1 home win over Sassuolo moving the Sardinians out of the danger zone in Italy’s Serie A on Saturday.
Luca Rossettini gave the hosts a 20th minute lead but went from hero to zero when he turned into his own net to give Sassuolo a 76th minute equaliser.
Only three minutes later Duje Cop restored Cagliari’s advantage with a volley to the left of goal beating Andrea Consigli, although striker Marco Sau looked offside as the cross was played in.
Sassuolo were left with ten men for the final minutes after Francesco Acerbi saw red for a second bookable offence but despite the visitors threatening a late leveller Cagliari held on for only their fourth win of the campaign.
Cagliari moved up one place to fourth from bottom ahead of the rest of the weekend fixtures and will stay there if champions and leaders Juventus beat Chievo, who dropped to third from bottom, on Sunday.
In Saturday’s late game Lazio will look to capitalise on AC Milan’s mini-crisis to claim a win at the Stadio Olimpico that would move them up to third ahead of Napoli and Sampdoria.
Roma, second at five points behind Juve, are away to Fiorentina on Sunday.