Cagliari comeback holds off Atalanta in Serie A opener

Cagliari Calcio have come from behind to take maximum points from their Serie A opener against Atalanta BC in their temporary home at Trieste.

Atalanta threatened early on and took the lead after 27 minutes through defender Guglielmo Stendardo, who headed home after finding space at the far post.

The visitors were ahead for less than 60 seconds as Cagliari raced up the other end to respond thanks to a fine sweeping move.

Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan was the man who levelled things up, meeting Marco Sau's cross to send an emphatic first-time finish into the bottom corner.

Early in the second half Caglari made a sustained spell of home pressure count to find a winning goal, as Matias Cabrera stole in at the near post to finish from close range.

Late on Marko Livaja went agonisingly close to an equaliser for Atalanta, but his effort came crashing back off the woodwork 10 minutes from time, as Cagliari held on to claim all three points.