Cagliari 1–0 Modena
International Club Friendly | 28 July 2026, 23:00

Match Overview

Cagliari edged Serie B side Modena 1–0 in a pre‑season friendly that gave manager Davide Nicola plenty of useful observations. Played at Cagliari’s training ground behind closed doors, the match was a typical summer run‑out, with both coaches using the occasion to test experimental line‑ups and tactical tweaks.

Goal Decides Tight Contest

The only goal came in the 54th minute. A smart interchange between Cagliari’s new signing Lorenzo Pirola and midfielder Nahitan Nández freed space on the left, and the cross was turned home by forward Zito Luvumbu on his first appearance for the club. Modena came close to equalising ten minutes later when a long‑range effort from Fabio Abiuso clipped the crossbar, but Cagliari’s goalkeeper, Boris Radunović, was otherwise untroubled.

Opportunity for Rotation

Nicola used 22 different players over the course of the 90 minutes, rotating entire units at the hour mark. Modena also made extensive substitutions, with coach Paolo Bianco giving minutes to six summer signings. The pace was understandably below full competitive intensity, but both sides showed positive signs in their positional play.

Standout Performer

Cagliari’s Zito Luvumbu caught the eye with his direct running and composed finish. The Angolan winger, signed this summer, demonstrated the pace and trickery that could make him a valuable option in the upcoming Serie A campaign. His link‑up with right‑back Gabriele Zappa was particularly promising.

Conclusion

A solid workout for both teams as they continue preparations for the new season. Cagliari will take confidence from the clean sheet and the sharpness of their attacking moves, while Modena will look to sharpen their final‑third decision‑making before their Serie B campaign begins.