Cagliari claim Serie A win over Inter
Cagliari have defeated visitors Inter Milan 2-1 to move further away from the Italian Serie A drop zone while the Nerazzurri risk being ousted from third place.
Luca Ceppitelli gave Cagliari a 31st-minute lead at the Sardegna Arena when he redirected a free kick with a header before Lautaro Martinez levelled for Inter five minutes later.
The visitors' joy was short lived as Leonardo Pavoletti netted the winner with a sublime first-time volley from Darijo Srna's cross two minutes before halftime.
Home goalkeeper Alessio Cragno deflected a Martinez shot against the bar with five minutes left before Cagliari playmaker Nicolo Barella blazed his penalty over the crossbar in stoppage time.
The Sardinians moved up to 14th place while Inter remained just two points ahead of city rivals AC Milan, who occupy the last Champions League place before the host Sassuolo on Saturday.
Fifth-placed AS Roma, who are away at Lazio in the Derby della Capitale on Saturday, are just three points adrift of Inter, who have managed to pick up just seven points in their past six league outings.
They have sidelined former team captain and their top scorer Mauro Icardi since mid-February - five games - amid stalled negotiations over a contract renewal.
