Calhanoglu Stuns Cagliari as Inter Edge Tense Serie A Clash 1-0

Inter Milan survived a late onslaught to grind out a 1-0 victory over Cagliari in a tense Serie A encounter at Sardegna Arena, with Hakan Calhanoglu’s ninth-minute strike proving the difference.

The Sardinians threw everything at Simone Inzaghi’s side in a breathless final half-hour, but Inter’s defensive resilience held firm to secure three hard-earned points in their second game of the season.

Calhanoglu Strikes Early for Inter Milan

The visitors needed just nine minutes to break Cagliari’s resistance, Nicolò Barella picking out Calhanoglu’s darting run with a perfectly weighted through ball. The Turkish midfielder made no mistake, slotting calmly past Elia Caprile to give Inter an early advantage they’d never relinquish.

Manuel Akanji’s 14th-minute yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Daniel Maldini briefly threatened to derail Inter’s momentum, but Cristian Chivu’s side quickly reasserted control – dominating 65% possession and peppering Caprile’s goal with 24 first-half shots.

Cagliari’s Valiant Second-Half Push

Fabio Pisacane’s triple substitution on 57 minutes injected fresh energy into the hosts, with Alessandro Deiola’s crunching tackle on Lautaro Martínez moments later earning the Cagliari midfielder a booking but sparking the Sardinian crowd into life.

The Rossoblu’s late flurry saw them rack up eight shots off target – Kevin’s long-range effort whistling just wide in the 85th minute before the substitute himself entered the referee’s book for a frustrated lunge on Federico Dimarco.

What This Means for Both Sides

For Inter, this gritty away win reinforces their credentials as title contenders – collecting six points from their opening two matches despite not yet hitting top gear. Calhanoglu’s early-season form (two goals in two games) will delight Chivu as the Nerazzurri prepare to face Roma next weekend.

Cagliari’s winless start continues, but Pisacane can take heart from his side’s spirited response after going behind early. Their expected goals (0.45) tell the story of a team lacking cutting edge – a problem that must be solved before Torino visit Sardinia in seven days.