Cagliari Readies for Coppa Italia Clash Against Newly-Promoted Arezzo

Cagliari, a Serie A side, is gearing up to host newly-promoted Serie B team Arezzo in the First Round of the Coppa Italia tomorrow, Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Unipol Domus. This early-season knockout clash sees the top-tier club facing an opponent fresh off a promotion and an opening round victory, setting the stage for a classic David vs. Goliath encounter in Italian football. For Cagliari, who finished 14th in Serie A last season, this match is a crucial first step in their cup campaign, aiming to avoid an embarrassing early exit and build momentum for the upcoming league season. Under coach Fabio Pisacane, the team will look to key players like Sebastiano Esposito, their top scorer from last season, though questions around his contract situation have recently surfaced. Arezzo, led by Cristian Bucchi, arrives with confidence after their 2-0 preliminary round win against Union Brescia and will be eager to test themselves against Serie A opposition following their impressive promotion to Serie B. The single-leg format of the Coppa Italia's early rounds means there's no room for error; a draw after 90 minutes will lead straight to a penalty shootout. This high-stakes setup ensures an intense battle at Unipol Domus, with Cagliari expected to dominate possession but Arezzo hoping to spring a surprise. Fans will be watching to see if Cagliari's Serie A quality shines through, or if Arezzo can pull off a memorable cup upset to continue their fairytale rise.