Looking to build on last week’s 2-1 win over Bologna in the Apennine Derby, a result which saw them climb out of the relegation zone, Fiorentina were on top in the opening stages as they searched for an early nerve-settler.
Albert Gudmundsson’s effort from distance flew narrowly wide inside the opening minute, before the visitors created an opening when Marco Palestra’s attempt from inside the area was blocked on its path to goal.
Having battled hard to stay in the contest, Cagliari hit the front just after the half-hour mark with their first shot on target.
Palestra’s cross into the area from the right found Semih Kilicsoy, whose header came off the foot of the unfortunate Pietro Comuzzo and gave David de Gea no chance of making a save, giving the Isolani the lead at the break.
While they would have been disappointed to have found themselves trailing, the hosts knew they were still very much in the contest as the second half got underway.
However, just two minutes after the restart, their task became all the more difficult as Fiorentina conceded for the second time.
A ball across field was allowed to roll through to Palestra, and the right-back settled himself before firing the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner to score his first-ever senior goal.
Five of Fiorentina’s last seven home matches had seen both teams score, and La Viola were able to extend that trend and give themselves hope with just over 15 minutes remaining when Marco Brescianini forced home a cross into the area from close range.
The home side piled on the pressure in the closing stages, with Cagliari defending for their lives, and despite some dangerous moments, the visitors held on to claim three points which lift them four places to 11th and eight points clear of Fiorentina, who drop back down into the relegation zone with this disappointing defeat - their first in Serie A in nearly a month.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marco Palestra (Cagliari)