A goal in each half from Ibrahimovic gives Milan a 2-0 victory over Cagliari. The Swede converted from the spot early after winning the penalty himself, before latching on to a brilliant pass from Calabria to make it 2-0 in the 52nd minute. The Rossoneri had to play the final 15 or so minutes with 10 men after Saelemaekers was red carded less than 10 minutes after coming on, but the result never really looked in doubt as the home side failed to muster much in the way of clear-cut chances.
The result means Milan remain top of Serie A, three points clear of Inter, while that's five league defeats in a row for Cagliari who remain 17th and perilously close to the relegation zone. Cagliari next play Sassuolo in the league and Milan host Atalanta.
Anyway, that's all from me. I hope you enjoyed following our live text coverage. Until next time, goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+5'
FULL-TIME: CAGLIARI 0-2 MILAN22:37
90'+4'
Ibrahimovic attempts a shot from the half-way line but doesn't catch it how he'd like. The hosts come forward again before being dispossessed.22:46
90'+3'
Into the final 90 seconds and Cagliari win a corner. It's now or never but the delivery is poor and Ibrahimovic is at the front post to head clear.22:36
90'+2'
Despite the extra man, the hosts still can't find the killer pass to get back into the game. Donnarumma launches the ball forward and sets up Dalot for a shot but it's easily saved by Cragno.22:35
90'+1'
There will be four minutes of added time.22:33
90'
The ball falls for Pavoletti to strike on the half-volley from the edge of the box but the Italian drags his effort well wide of the mark.22:33
89'
Castillejo lines up the free-kick for Milan but can't get it past the first man before Ceppitelli and Kyatengwa collide.22:32
88'
Ceppitelli is rightly booked for pulling Meite's shirt after being turned.22:31
86'
Ibrahimovic draws a foul and buys Milan some time. From the free-kick, the Swede is played in and uses his strength to fashion a chance. The angle is tight and Cragno saves well to concede a corner.22:30
85'
Sottil wins a free-kick in a dangerous area. The ball is whipped in with pace and Ceppitelli tries to glance it towards the far post but it flies just wide.22:28
83'
Godin is yellow carded for his protests in the aftermath of the penalty appeal.22:27
83'
Conti is on for Milan, replacing Diaz who looked a threat in patches.22:27
82'
It's all Cagliari and they're screaming for a penalty when Sottil is bundled to the ground by Diaz in the box. The referee waves the claim away before the hosts come again, drawing a fine save from Donnarumma after Cerri's header.22:26
80'
It's a double change for Cagliari as Cerri comes on for Simeone who endured a frustrating game.22:23
79'
That is Zappa's final act as he is replaced by Pavoletti.22:22
78'
Zappa surges forward for the home side and looks to find a way through the Milan defence but the Italian loses control of the ball and it'll be a goal-kick.22:21
77'
They have a corner that is partially cleared to Nainggolan at the edge of the box. The Belgian strikes well on the volley but it doesn't find its way through the mass of bodies occupying the Milan box.22:20
76'
Will that sending off give the hosts a late lifeline?22:19
74'
RED CARD! Saelemaekers receives his marching orders after pulling back Ceppitelli as he looked to break. The Milan midfielder lasted less than 10 minutes.22:17
72'
Meite is on for Milan, replacing Tonali for the final 20 minutes or so.22:15
71'
Castillejo and Ibrahimovic link up well and look to spring a break before the hosts recover their shape and possession.22:15
70'
Kyatengwa does well to block Joao Pedro's cross and divert the ball out for a Cagliari corner.22:34
69'
Nainggolan has the ball in an advanced position and has options to his right. However, the Belgian decides to take on an ambitious shot and scuffs it completely.22:12
68'
It's another change for Cagliari as Duncan is replaced by Oliva. 04:15
68'
He's been on less than two minutes but Saelemaekers is already in the book after a high challenge on Zappa.22:11
67'
Joao Pedro is penalised for a needless nudge to the back of Ibrahimovic.22:23
67'
Simeone intercepts a loose pass from Calabria but can't get the ball under control to make Milan pay.22:10
66'
Pioli makes another change as Saelemaekers replaces Hauge.22:09
64'
SAVE! Straight up the other end and Ibrahimovic has a golden opportunity to wrap up his hat-trick. He strikes it well but Cragno produces a fine save to deny the Swede.22:08
63'
WHAT A CHANCE! You can't afford to miss these chances at 2-0 down. Joao Pedro's throughball splits the Milan defence wide open and Simeone is one-on-one with Donnarumma. The Italian keeper is out quickly to cut off the space and saves the Argentinian's effort with his chest.22:23
61'
The space really opens up for Marin when Nainggolan bullies Tonali off the ball. The Romanian bears down on the Milan defence and opts to shoot, but his effort strikes Simeone before it can test Donnarumma.22:05
60'
Cagliari are probing for a way back into the game. Simeone almost gets on the end of a cross before a chance opens up for the Argentinian to strike but his effort is blocked.22:03
58'
Cragno does well to gather from the corner and tries to launch a counter-attack but his throw is misplaced and possession is Milan's once again.22:00
57'
Sottil is on for Cagliari, replacing Pereiro.22:01
56'
Diaz breaks forward before the home side poke the ball clear. Kessie gathers and Milan come again but Zappa does well to divert the ball out for a corner as Ibrahimovic was lurking behind.21:59
54'
It's a long way back now for Cagliari who continue to leak goals!21:58
52'
It was a pinpoint throughball from Calabria that gave Ibrahimovic the chance to stretch the Rossoneri's lead.22:02
52'
GOAAAALLLLL! MILAN LEAD 2-0! It's that man again Ibrahimovic. The Swede is found with a brilliant ball over the top before bringing it down perfectly and slotting past Cragno. The linesman raises his flag much to the striker's disbelief before VAR officials inform the referee the goal should stand. 2-0!
Pereiro and Zappa link up on the right flank for Cagliari but Dalot does well again to deny the pair a chance to get the ball into the box.21:54
49'
Lykogiannis appears to hold back Castillejo and catch him with a flying elbow. The Milan winger leaves the field briefly before declaring himself fine to proceed.21:53
47'
The home side have an early free-kick and a half chance. Marin's delivery isn't great and the ball ends up with Godin on the left-hand side. The Uruguayan takes on Dalot but the Milan full-back comes out on top.21:50
46'
We're back underway for the second half!21:48
46'
The visitors have made a change at the break with Kyatengwa replacing Kjaer who must have taken a knock.21:48
To be honest, this game is still well and truly in the balance. Neither side looked particularly threatening going forward, so if Cagliari can find an equaliser, things could get nervy for the visitors who will be desparate to maintain their three-point gap at the top of the table.21:36
Milan go in at the break 1-0 ahead thanks to Ibrahimovic's early penalty. After a quiet opening, the Swede was brought down by Lykogiannis and converted with ease to give the league leaders the ideal start. In all honesty, chances were few and far between for the half, but Calabria was inches from doubling Milan's advantage when his first-time effort struck the inside of the post. The home side had their moments but lacked that extra bit of quality in the final third. 21:35
45'
HALF-TIME: CAGLIARI 0-1 MILAN21:32
45'
Marin steals the ball away from Dalot. Pereiro has it on the right but puts in a disappointing cross that is easily defended.21:31
43'
Kessie has the ball in the Cagliari box. From a tight angle he tries to chip it to the back post, but the hosts react quickly and clear the danger.21:30
42'
Ibrahimovic is down briefly and thinks he should have had a free-kick after being clipped by Ceppitelli. The referee is having none of it and the Swede is quickly back on his feet.21:29
41'
Cagliari continue to go in search of an equaliser. Pereiro does well to get the ball into the box and it almost falls for Simeone before Kjaer nips in just in time.21:28
40'
The resultant free-kick is lined up by Pereiro who floats it into the Milan box. However, Kjaer is on hand to head it clear for Pioli's side.21:26
39'
Romagnoli earns the first booking of the game after wrestling Simeone to the ground right in front of the referee.21:25
38'
CLOSE! Joao Pedro almost finishes off a lovely move, getting on the end of a good cross from Marin to direct his first-time shot just wide of the far post.22:34
36'
POST! Milan almost double their advantage but Calabria's brilliant first-time strike crashes off the inside of the post and comes away from goal. 21:23
35'
Godin is up to meet the corner but can't keep his header low enough to test Donnarumma.21:22
35'
It's another corner for the hosts as Kjaer panics under pressure from Pereiro.21:21
33'
CHANCE! Simeone does well to draw Kjaer out and play the ball into Pereiro. The midfielder cuts in and fires a shot goalward but Romagnoli gets in the way and diverts the ball out for a corner.21:20
31'
Castillejo launches a cross towards the back post where Ibrahimovic has pealed away to. The Swede is on the stretch and does his best to head the ball goalward, but he's isolated and Cagliari escape.21:18
29'
Pereiro finds Zappa on the right flank before the full-back plays in Marin in a more advanced position. The Cagliari midfiedler tries to cut the ball back for a team-mate but it's Kjaer who gathers possession for Milan.21:16
28'
Diaz dispossesses Marin and attempts to break but Nainggolan does well to steal the ball away with a well-timed challenge.21:14
26'
Ibrahimovic contests at the corner but Duncan does just enough to clear the ball to safety. 21:12
25'
SAVE! Calabria takes a shot on from way out and forces Cragno to push the ball out for a corner.21:12
24'
Cagliari have the ball in the Milan half but there's no cutting edge to their play. They're being restricted to long-range crosses that aren't posing their opponents a significant threat.21:11
22'
Apart from the goal, both teams have largely cancelled each other out in the opening quarter of the match. Hopefully the action will pick up as we approach half-time.21:09
21'
Duncan thwarts a Milan attack before turning his attention to a counter-attack but the visitors scramble back and recover.21:08
19'
Tonali wins the ball back for Milan but the hosts get back in numbers quickly. Castillejo attempts a cross from the right but can't get it through the host of bodies.21:06
17'
Ibrahimovic finds Dalot on the right with a typically audacious pass. The Portuguese defender floats in a nice cross but it's well defended by Godin.21:04
16'
Marin and Simeone get their wires crossed as the former tries to play a telling throughball. The chance is gone but it's been all Cagliari in the last five minutes.21:02
14'
The home side have responded well since going behind. This time it's Lykogiannis who has a chance to cross from the left but his delivery is just out of reach for Simeone.21:00
12'
Cagliari attack again with Marin up the right flank. The Romanian plays in Zappa whose cross is well blocked.20:58
11'
The hosts break when Marin latches onto a loose pass. The midfielder squares it for Joao Pedro to strike first time, but the forward can't connect how he'd like and it's out for a goal-kick.22:34
9'
Ibrahimovic has now scored in seven straight league games against Cagliari and ensures Milan equal the club record of scoring in 19 consecutive away Serie A games.20:59
7'
GOAAALLLLLL! IBRAHIMOVIC CONVERTS! The veteran striker steps up and makes no mistake, sending Cragno the wrong way to give Milan the perfect start! 1-0!
PENALTY MILAN! Diaz breaks forward and plays Ibrahimovic through before the Swede is brought down by a clumsy challenge from Lykogiannis.20:52
4'
Marin picks out Simeone in the box but the Cagliari striker can't direct his header anywhere near Donnarumma's goal.20:51
3'
It's been a quiet start to proceedings. Milan are being allowed plenty of time on the ball with the hosts happy to keep their shape in the opening exchanges.20:50
1'
Diaz is all over Godin early and wins a free-kick off the veteran defender. 20:47
1'
The referee blows his whistle and Cagliari get this Serie A clash underway!20:46
The teams are emerging from the tunnel and kick-off is moments away!20:42
Milan can equal a club record tonight as they look to score in their 19th away Serie A game in a row. Only once before have they achieved this feat – between March 1992 and April 1993.20:39
For Milan, four changes have been made to their most recent Coppa Italia starting XI. Donnarumma starts between the sticks in front of a defence that includes Kjaer who replaces Musacchio. Kessie starts alongside Tonali in the centre of midfield while Hauge comes in for the suspended Rafael Leao. The talismanic Ibrahimovic plays as the lone striker for the injury-plagued Rossoneri.20:37
The hosts have really rung the changes from their last outing with eight new faces in the starting XI. Cragno returns in goal while Godin and Lykogiannis replace Walukiewicz and Tripaldelli in defence. Nahitan Nandez is out through suspension so in comes Pereiro to the midfield and he is joined by Marin and Duncan. The attacking threat comes from Nainggolan, Joao Pedro and Simeone.22:34
MILAN SUBS: Daniel Maldini, Andrea Conti, Soualiho Meite, Alexis Saelemaekers, Nikos Michelis, Pierre Kalulu Kyatengwa, Enrico Di Gesu, Ciprian Tatarusanu, Mateo Musacchio, Antonio Donnarumma, Lorenzo Colombo, Emil Roback.20:32
CAGLIARI SUBS: Alessandro Tripaldelli, Matteo Tramoni, Riccardo Sottil, Alberto Cerri, Leonardo Pavoletti, Sebastian Walukiewicz, Simone Aresti, I. Del Pupo, Guglielmo Vicario, Fabrizio Caligara, Christian Oliva, Salvatore Boccia.20:28
CAGLIARI (4-3-2-1): Guglielmo Vicario; Gabriele Zappa, Diego Godin, Luca Ceppitelli, Charalampos Lykogiannis; Gaston Pereiro, Razvan Marin, Joseph Alfred Duncan; Radja Nainggolan, Joao Pedro; Giovanni Simeone.20:25
They welcome top of the table Milan who have bounced back well from losing to Juventus. Stefano Pioli’s side will be looking to make it three wins in a row after back-to-back successes at home to Torino in their last two matches. The Rossoneri prevailed in a penalty shoot-out in their Coppa Italia tie which marked Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first start since returning from injury.20:22
The hosts enter this contest looking to put an end to an awful run of form. Winless in their last 10 games in all competitions, the Sardinian side sit 17th in the league table, just a point above the relegation zone. Last time out they exited the Coppa Italia after succumbing 3-1 to an underpowered Atalanta and have lost their last four Serie A fixtures. Eusebio Di Francesco’s team play a nice brand of football but need to tighten up at the back if they are to turn their fortunes around. 20:19
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Serie A meeting between Cagliari and Milan from the Sardegna Arena!20:14
Cagliari - Milan is a match of 18 day of the season Serie A 2020/2021. The match will be 18 january at 20:45 in the stadium Sardegna Arena in Cagliari. Referee of Cagliari - Milan will be Rosario Abisso with the help of Stefano Liberti e Alessio Tolfo. At VAR there will be Davide Massa.
Currently Cagliari is 17° in the standings with 14 points (thanks of 3 wins, 5 draws and 10 defeats); while Milan is 1° in the standings with 43 points (thanks of 13 wins, 4 pareggi and 1 sconfitta). Cagliari scored 23 goals and conceded 36; Milan scored 39 goals and conceded 19.
At home Cagliari scored 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses). Away Milan scored 22 points (7 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses). Cagliari in the last three matches of the season challenged Benevento, Fiorentina and Mil obtaining 0 points. Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Benevento, Juventus and Torino obtaining 6 points thanks to 2 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss. In the last match Cagliari was against Milan losing 0-2 while Milan was against Torino winning 2-0. The best scorer of the team coached by Eusebio Di Francesco is João Pedro with 10 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 12 goals.
Cagliari and Milan competed 76 times in the league. In the previous matches Cagliari won 8 times, Milan won 42 times while the number of draw was 26.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Cagliari-Milan You can see the live match Cagliari-Milan here on Virgilio Sport starting 20:45 CET of 18 january. Discover who will broadcast live Cagliari - Milan between Sky and Dazn.
