Kolo Muani rescue earns Juventus draw at Cagliari

Juventus came from behind to draw 1-1 at Cagliari as Randal Kolo Muani’s late header denied the hosts victory in the sixth round of Serie A on Sunday.

Daniel Maldini gave Cagliari the lead after 20 minutes, but Kolo Muani levelled nine minutes from time to earn Juventus a point. The result extended an unbeaten run for Luciano Spalletti’s side, who had been hoping to build on their 2-0 win over Atalanta before the international break.

Cagliari had made an impressive start to the campaign, winning four of their first five matches and losing only once. Juventus arrived with three wins, one draw and one defeat from their opening five fixtures.

Juventus started with early pressure, but Cagliari soon settled and created the first clear opportunities. Pape Sarr fired over the crossbar in the ninth minute, while Nicolas Gonzalez missed from close range six minutes later, sending his effort wide from inside the penalty area.

Cagliari took advantage in the 20th minute. Maldini broke down the left and followed up after his initial shot rebounded off Paul Mendy, who inadvertently returned the ball to him. Maldini then fired a left-footed finish into the net to put the hosts ahead.

Weston McKennie was booked in the 17th minute as Juventus continued to have possession without producing a sustained threat. Cagliari therefore took a 1-0 lead into half-time.

Spalletti made two changes at the interval, bringing on Edon Zhegrova and Kerim Alayibe… Wait. Need known spelling likely “Karem Alayibe…” Let’s inspect Arabic: كريم الايبيجوفيتش. This is likely “Kerim Alajbegovic” (Bosnian player). Official spelling Kerim Alajbegovic perhaps. Need exact names officially used. Source Arabic transliteration “Alaybeygovich” could be “Karem Alaybegovic”. Search internal knowledge Bayer Leverkusen youth player Kerim Alajbegovic. In 2026 likely Juventus player? Use Kerim Alajbegovic. Continue.

instead of Francisco Conceicao and McKennie. Cagliari also changed Juan Rodriguez for Alessandro Deiola.

Juventus increased the pressure after the restart. Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile kept out a shot from Zhegrova in the 64th minute, but he was beaten 17 minutes later. Alajbegovic delivered a cross and Kolo Muani rose to head Juventus level.

The France striker almost completed the turnaround in the 85th minute when he met another Alajbegovic cross from close range. His effort struck the crossbar before falling to Nick Woltemade, whose follow-up was saved by Caprile.

Caprile then stopped a volley from Kolo Muani in the 88th minute, although the attempt was subsequently ruled offside. Cagliari had one final chance in stoppage time, but Alessandro Romano shot wide in the 90+1st minute after the ball reached him from a free-kick cleared by the Juventus defence.

Juventus appealed for a penalty two minutes later when Zhegrova went down inside the area, but the referee decided the contact was not enough to award a foul. Neither side found a winner, and the match ended 1-1.