The complete guide to Cagliari vs Inter

Inter head into their second Serie A fixture of the 2026/27 season looking to build on their 4-1 victory over Monza at San Siro. Their first away trip of the campaign takes them to Sardinia on Sunday 30 August, where they will face Fabio Pisacane’s Cagliari at the Unipol Domus, with kick-off at 20:45 CEST. Cagliari also began the season with a win, beating Parma 1-0 at the Tardini thanks to Alessandro Romano’s spectacular late strike.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two sides have met 90 times in Serie A, with Inter recording 47 wins, 29 draws and 14 defeats. In 45 meetings in Sardinia, the Nerazzurri have won 20, with seven Cagliari victories and 18 draws.

Inter have won nine of their last 10 Serie A meetings with Cagliari, with one draw. During that run, they have scored 26 goals, averaging 2.6 per game. Inter have also scored more Serie A goals against Cagliari than any other side, with 160, while only AC Milan have beaten the Rossoblù more often in the competition: 48 wins to Inter’s 47, level with Juventus. The Nerazzurri have won six of their seven Serie A meetings with Cagliari played during the opening two matchdays, with one draw. The most recent came on 28 August 2023, when goals from Dumfries and Lautaro secured a 2-0 victory.

Inter have also won each of their last six Serie A away games against Cagliari, keeping a clean sheet in the last three. They have scored in 22 of their last 23 league visits to the Rossoblù, registering 47 goals in total — an average of 2.04 per game.

STATS AND FACTS

Both teams head to the Unipol Domus with three points after winning their opening fixtures. Cagliari recorded their first opening-day victory since 2013, while also extending their run to three consecutive wins dating back to the end of last season. Inter, meanwhile, have suffered just one defeat in their 23 Serie A matches played in 2026, remaining unbeaten in the other 22.

Both sides scored from outside the box on the opening weekend: Hakan Çalhanoğlu opened Inter’s account against Monza with a strike from 25 metres, while Alessandro Romano’s superb left-footed effort into the top corner secured Cagliari’s victory at Parma. The Rossoblù also showed a greater willingness to win the ball high up the pitch, recording 11 recoveries in the attacking third. Chivu’s side, meanwhile, once again demonstrated their effectiveness in possession. Their 70% possession against Monza was second only to Venezia across the opening round and, despite registering just 13 shots, Inter scored four times. Their 30.8% conversion rate was the highest in Serie A after the first matchday.

LAUTARO, PIO AND BARELLA

Cagliari holds particular significance for Lautaro Martínez, Pio Esposito and Nicolò Barella. Both forwards scored their first Serie A goals for Inter against the Rossoblù, while both also found the net in the most recent meeting in Sardinia. Barella, meanwhile, faces the club from his hometown, where he came through the academy and made his Serie A debut.

LAUTARO AND CAGLIARI

On 29 September 2018, Lautaro celebrated his first goal for Inter with a trademark header at San Siro. It was the first of his 175 goals in Nerazzurri, and came against Cagliari. The Sardinian side has since become the Argentine's favourite opponent: Lautaro has scored 12 goals in 12 Serie A appearances against Cagliari. Only Francesco Totti (14) and Ciro Immobile (13) have scored more against the Rossoblù in Serie A.

PIO AND BARELLA

Pio Esposito also opened his Serie A account against Cagliari. The 2005-born striker scored at the Unipol Domus on 27 September 2025, finishing from Federico Dimarco’s low, powerful cross in the 82nd minute. It was his first Serie A goal for Inter. Last season he needed five matches to get off the mark; this time around, he scored in the opening game with a spectacular backheel against Monza.

Barella was born and raised in Cagliari, making his Serie A debut for the Rossoblù before spending four seasons as one of the club's key players. He subsequently became one of the defining figures of Inter's recent history. The trip to the Unipol Domus therefore represents a return home for the midfielder. Cagliari is also the opponent against whom he has contributed to the most Inter goals in Serie A: eight in total, with two goals and six assists. His most recent goal against his former club came in the previous meeting between the sides at San Siro on 17 April.

DISCIPLINARY SITUATION

SUSPENDED

Cagliari: — Inter: —

ONE BOOKING FROM SUSPENSION

Cagliari: — Inter: —

OFFICIALS

Michael Fabbri of the Ravenna section will referee Cagliari vs Inter.

Referee: Fabbri Assistants: Ceccon – Vecchi Fourth official: La Penna VAR: Aureliano AVAR: Paterna

CAGLIARI vs INTER: WHERE TO WATCH

Cagliari-Inter, valid for the second matchday of Serie A 2026/27, will be played on Sunday 30 August at 20:45 CEST and broadcast live exclusively on DAZN and Sky. The match can be watched via the DAZN app on smart TVs and streaming devices, as well as on PC, smartphone and tablet. Sky customers can also follow the game via Sky Go and NOW on compatible devices.

UPDATES ON INTER TV

As usual, Inter TV will provide pre-match updates and live links from the Unipol Domus ahead of kick-off. The buildup of Cagliari vs Inter will begin at 19:30 CEST and will also be available on the Club's official YouTube channel until 20:35. Post-match coverage will include analysis, interviews and all the latest reaction.