After the encouraging Conference League play-off win over FC Polissya, Fiorentina’s Serie A season got under way in Sardinia on Sunday evening. Stefano Pioli’s second spell at the helm began with a sold-out clash at the Unipol Domus, setting the tone for a campaign full of ambition, emotion and collective endeavour.

Pioli opted for continuity, selecting the same starting line-up that took to the pitch midweek. Up front, Moise Kean and Albert Gudmundsson continued as the striking duo. For Cagliari, Michael Folorunsho faced his former club, with Gennaro Borrelli and Sebastiano Esposito leading the attack.

The early exchanges were cagey. In the 22nd minute, Folorunsho rose highest from a corner, only for David De Gea to perform a miraculous save before Robin Gosens cleared the threat off the line. Cagliari pressed and the Viola found it tough to get into rhythm. Cagliari accumulated two yellow cards before half time: Adam Obert for a foul on Dodo and Borrelli for a late challenge on Simon Sohm. The two sides went in level at the break.

Pioli shook things up at half time, bringing on Mattia Viti and Rolando Mandragora for Luca Ranieri and Cher Ndour. The second half echoed the first in tempo with few clear-cut chances and mistakes aplenty until the 68th minute when Gudmundsson delivered a pinpoint cross and Mandragora’s header kissed the post and nestled in the net for the opener.

Pioli then introduced Tommaso Fazzini for Gudmundsson. Cagliari also brought on Zito Luvumbo and Matteo Mazzitelli, while Fiorentina replaced Pietro Comuzzo with Pablo Mari. A looming chance went begging when Fazzini’s corner met a Sohm flick, but Kean could not quite guide it home.

Late substitutions followed: Fabiano Parisi came on for Gosens, and Semih replaced Borrelli. In the 83rd minute Gianluca Gaetano tested De Gea with a fierce strike from the edge of the box, but the goalkeeper reacting superbly.

Just when victory seemed close, Cagliari struck in stoppage time. In the 94th minute Gaetano’s free-kick was nodded home by Sebastiano Luperto to level the score.

A hard-earned draw wraps up the opening Serie A fixture under Pioli. Attention now turns back to Europe, where Fiorentina will aim to secure a spot in the Conference League group stage for a fourth straight year on Thursday.