CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Cagliari Calcio |
| League | Serie A |
| Manager | Fabio Pisacane |
| Stadium | Unipol Domus |
| Nickname | Gli Isolani / Rossoblù |
| Founded | 1920 |
| First-Choice Goalkeeper | Elia Caprile |
| Backup Goalkeeper | Alen Sherri |
| Third Choice | Boris Radunović |
| Key Departure | Giuseppe Ciocci (Spezia) |
| Defining Trait | A young Italian goalkeeper justifying the faith of a president |
The Defining Moment
Cagliari’s goalkeeping department entered the 2026/27 season with a clarity that few other areas of the squad possessed. Elia Caprile was the undisputed number one. The question was not who would start, but whether he would still be in Sardinia when the window closed.
The interest was real. Several clubs inquired about the 25-year-old from Verona, and Cagliari’s hierarchy had considered the possibility of a sale that would generate liquidity for other reinforcements. The president, Tommaso Giulini, later revealed the decisive factor: Caprile wanted to stay. “Elia was convinced to remain at Cagliari,” Giulini said. “He felt that this season we could do something important”.
That conviction has been vindicated in the opening months. Caprile has started every Serie A match he has been available for, his 810 minutes across nine league appearances reflecting his status as the first name on Pisacane’s team sheet. By late October, Cagliari sat tenth in Serie A with 13 points, a position that exceeded pre-season expectations and owed much to their goalkeeper’s performances.
This is the story of Cagliari’s 2026/27 goalkeepers: a young Italian who chose continuity over a move, an Albanian deputy waiting for his opportunity, and a club whose president believes it possesses one of the country’s finest goalkeepers.
Tactical Context
Pisacane’s Cagliari is built on defensive discipline and rapid transitions. The 4-2-3-1 that defines the shape becomes a compact 4-4-2 without the ball, with the goalkeeper expected to command his area, distribute accurately to the full-backs, and provide the vocal leadership that a mid-table Serie A side requires.
Caprile’s profile fits the system precisely. Standing 191cm, he is commanding in the air, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and capable of the reflex saves that turn matches. His distribution under pressure has been a feature of Cagliari’s build-up play, and his decision-making in one-on-one situations has earned him praise from across Italian football.
The numbers from the early season tell a story of a goalkeeper who has been tested. Thirteen goals conceded in nine league matches, a rate of 1.44 per game that reflects both the quality of opposition and the defensive structure in front of him. Three clean sheets—against Parma, Lecce, and Udinese—demonstrate that when the structure holds, Caprile provides the foundation for results. The 4-0 defeat at Monza and the 4-2 loss at Roma exposed the limits of a defence that can be overwhelmed, but the goalkeeper was not the primary culprit.
The Goalkeepers
Elia Caprile
Caprile is the undisputed number one and the player upon whom Cagliari’s defensive stability depends. The 25-year-old from Verona has been at the club since 2024, arriving after a spell at Napoli, and his development under Pisacane has elevated him to the fringes of the Italy squad.
His profile is that of a modern, complete goalkeeper. Caprile is not the most physically imposing presence—191cm is adequate rather than exceptional—but his positioning, his reading of the game, and his distribution make him one of Serie A’s most reliable young goalkeepers. His 2025/26 season, in which he made 38 appearances and kept eight clean sheets, established him as a first-choice performer at this level.
The president’s assessment is unequivocal. “After Donnarumma,” Giulini said, “he and Carnesecchi are today the strongest goalkeepers in Italy”. The comparison is lofty, but the sentiment reflects the club’s belief in a player who chose to stay when others might have left. At 25, Caprile is entering his prime. Cagliari’s survival hopes rest on him remaining between the posts.
Alen Sherri
Sherri is the deputy, a 28-year-old Albanian international who joined Cagliari in 2025. Standing 197cm, he is the tallest goalkeeper in the squad, his physical presence offering a different profile to Caprile’s more technical interpretation of the role.
His role this season has been limited—no league appearances by late October—but his presence provides genuine competition rather than passive backup. The hierarchy is clear: Caprile is first choice, Sherri is second, Radunović is third. Whether Sherri earns an opportunity depends on Caprile’s form and fitness, but his professionalism ensures he remains ready.
Boris Radunović
Radunović is the third-choice goalkeeper, a 30-year-old Serbian who returned to Cagliari after a loan spell at Spezia in Serie B last season. His experience offers depth in a department that lacks nothing in numbers.
His role is as much about training-ground professionalism as matchday contribution. At 30, he understands his position within the hierarchy, and his presence ensures that injuries or suspensions do not leave Cagliari exposed.
Vincenzo Sarno and Niccolò Cabras
Sarno and Cabras are the young goalkeepers included in the first-team squad, representing the club’s commitment to developing homegrown talent. Their opportunities at senior level are likely to be limited this season, but their integration into the group reflects a long-term strategy of internal development.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Cagliari Goalkeeper Serie A Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elia Caprile | 8 (8) | 720 | 13 | 3 |
TABLE B: Cagliari Goalkeeping Unit – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Caprile All Competitions | 10 apps | 900 minutes |
| Goals Conceded (All Comps) | 13 | Including Coppa Italia |
| Serie A Goals Conceded per Match | 1.44 | Mid-table |
| Team League Position | 10th | 13 points from 9 matches |
TABLE C: Goalkeeper Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elia Caprile | Italy | Napoli, Bari, Leeds | Commanding, composed, developing distribution |
| Alen Sherri | Albania | Egnatia, Teuta | Tall, aerial presence, deputy |
| Boris Radunović | Serbia | Spezia, Atalanta | Experienced, squad professional |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Cagliari’s goalkeeping department reflects the club’s broader approach under Pisacane and sporting director: continuity over upheaval, faith in young players with something to prove, and a belief that internal solutions can address positions of need. The decision not to sell Caprile, despite interest and financial temptation, was a calculated gamble on stability over short-term profit.
The early-season evidence suggests the gamble has been justified. Cagliari’s tenth-place position after nine matches represents a solid platform for a club that many expected to struggle. Caprile’s performances have been central to that start, and his clean sheets against Parma, Lecce, and Udinese demonstrate his ability to deliver points when the structure holds.
The vulnerability is the lack of proven depth. Sherri has not played a league minute, Radunović is a squad player rather than a genuine alternative, and the young goalkeepers are not yet ready. If Caprile suffers a significant injury, Cagliari’s defensive stability diminishes considerably. The club’s decision to retain three senior goalkeepers reflects an awareness of that risk, but the quality drop-off is real.
The Verdict from the Camp
Tommaso Giulini, Cagliari president, on Caprile:
“For Caprile there were several interests this summer, but Elia was convinced to stay at Cagliari. He felt that this season we could do something important. For now, the facts are proving him right. I am happy for him and for us. I believe that after Donnarumma, he and Carnesecchi are today the strongest goalkeepers in Italy.”
Pazzidifanta, on the goalkeeping hierarchy:
“Cagliari – First: Caprile; Second: Sherri; Third: Radunovic.”
Cagliari’s official statement on Ciocci’s departure:
“Cagliari Calcio announces the transfer of the sporting rights of footballer Giuseppe Ciocci, who moves to Spezia on a permanent basis. The club thanks Giuseppe for the professionalism demonstrated in all these years and wishes him the best for his future professional challenges.”
Where Next?
Cagliari’s goalkeeping priority is clear: they need Caprile to stay fit and maintain his form. The 25-year-old is the foundation upon which Pisacane’s survival plan is built, and there is no proven alternative if he falters.
The development of the young goalkeepers is the most intriguing long-term subplot. If Sarno or Cabras can demonstrate readiness when opportunities arise, Cagliari possesses internal solutions for the future. If not, the club may need to invest in a more established deputy when Sherri’s or Radunović’s contracts expire.
The January window is unlikely to bring reinforcements. Cagliari’s financial constraints and the existing depth in the department suggest that faith will be placed in Caprile and his understudies. The question is whether that faith is justified, or whether the club’s survival hopes will depend on a goalkeeper who, by his own president’s admission, belongs in a higher echelon.
For now, Cagliari’s goalkeepers are a unit built on continuity and conviction: a young Italian who chose to stay when he could have left, an Albanian deputy waiting for his moment, and a club whose season depends on the reflexes of a goalkeeper who believes he has something to prove.
