Cagliari starting XI (4-2-3-1): Radunovic (GK), Zappa, Goldaniga, Altare, Azzi, Makoumbou, Deiola, Nandez, Mancosu, Luvumbo, Lapadula.

Bench: Rog, Viola, Aresti, Millico, Prelec,  Ciocci, Lella, Barreca, Pavoletti, Obert, Kourfalidis, Di Pardo.

Goals: Lapadula 9’

Bari starting XI (4-4-2): Caprile (GK), Mazzotta, Vicari, Zuzek, Dorval, Morachioli, Maita, Maiello, Benedetti, Cheddira, Esposito.

Bench: Frattali, Matino, Antenucci, Botta, Pucino, Benali, Ceter, Bellomo, Molina, Folorunsho, Mallamo.

Goals: Antenucci 90+6’ (Pen)

The away side enjoyed 56 per cent of the ball and had 16 shots on goal, compared to Cagliari’s 10.

Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari were ahead in under nine minutes as the in-form Gianluca Lapadula headed in an inch-perfect cross from Marco Mancosu.

Lapadula thought he had a brace soon after, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Cagliari were close to doubling their advantage yet again, however Alessandro Deiola’s header hit the crossbar.

Bari were thrown a lifeline in the 39th minute when they were awarded a penalty for handball, however Walid Cheddira’s spot kick was too central and tame to trouble Radunovic.

In the second half, Cheddira went one-on-one against Radunovic, but was again thwarted by the goalkeeper who got down low and made an excellent save with his outstretched foot.

Radunovic was quickly becoming a hero as he made a double save against Bari’s Damir Ceter, first from a one-on-one and then from the second attempt after the striker recuperated the ball.

Cagliari were headed for a narrow victory until an injury-time foul on Michael Folorunsho by Giorgio Altare gave the visitors another penalty.

This time, Mirco Antenucci, who had just come on off the bench only minutes earlier, sent Radunovic the wrong way and made it 1-1 in the 96th minute.

The second leg in Bari will be played on Monday morning, 4:30am AEST.

Extra time and penalties are not an option, as the higher ranked team is promoted in the event of a draw, meaning Cagliari must win.

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