Como keep pace with Champions League rivals after narrow win against Cagliari

[p]Separated from a UEFA Champions League qualification position by just three points with 11 games remaining, Como had every incentive to fly at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cagliari/SCGVmKHb/"]Cagliari[/a] from the outset.[/p][p]And while they needed a bit more time than usual to get going, the Lariani pounced and drew first blood shortly before the quarter-hour mark.[/p][p][b]Lucas Da Cunha produced a defence-piercing pass in the penalty area, allowing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baturina-martin/0WWy1lhR/"]Martin Baturina[/a] the space to fire in a first-time effort that found the bottom-left corner of a helpless [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/caprile-elia/rBsmDlYq/"]Elia Caprile[/a]’s net.[/b][/p][p]Having seen their battle to avoid relegation take an unwelcome twist, Cagliari came close to a response five minutes later. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adopo-michel/thWJbHFE/"]Michel Adopo[/a]’s rebounded effort looked destined to bring the hosts back level, but Como goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/butez-jean/QHLJe7td/"]Jean Butez[/a] was defiant and pulled off a sensational stop to keep the ball out.[/p][image alt="Cagliari - Como match stats" id="7fc95acc-4fe8-4ef6-978a-b5bb1c9b2ff6" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="e583bc67-5286-45c3-9309-9b4f09aeb7b9" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Despite not being active in front of goal throughout the opening half, Cagliari emphatically equalised 10 minutes after the restart.[/p][p][b]Expertly assisted by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/obert-adam/YZEkc9qD/"]Adam Obert[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/esposito-sebastiano/WrbP1Sdg/"]Sebastiano Esposito[/a] continued his fine run of form since joining on a season-long loan from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter/Iw7eKK25/"]Inter Milan[/a], dropping down low to the pitch to head home the Slovak defender’s delightful delivery beyond Butez – his 10th goal contribution (five goals and assists apiece) in the famous red and blue. [/b][/p][p]Nevertheless, following another quiet period in the game, Como were able to restore their slender advantage with 14 minutes left of regular time.[/p][p][b]Leading by example, 'Captain Fantastic' Da Cunha transformed himself from a provider to a goalscorer with an unbelievable long-range rocket that flew straight into the top corner, leaving Caprile with absolutely no chance.[/b][/p][p]Another win on the road moves Como level on points with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/as-roma/zVqqL0ma/"]AS Roma[/a], with H2H results being the only factor denying the Biancoblù a place in Serie A’s top four.[/p][p]Meanwhile, Cagliari remain six points above the relegation zone, though that could well be reduced as the weekend progresses.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/da-cunha-lucas/IXqHAIWJ/"]Lucas Da Cunha[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/como/ttyLthOA/"]Como[/a]) [/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/cagliari-SCGVmKHb/como-ttyLthOA/summary/stats/?mid=SWk1TZNh"]Check out all the match stats with Flashscore.[/a][/p]