Pisa manager Oscar Hiljemark offered a coy response when questioned about the red card shown to Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi during their 3-1 victory over Cagliari in the Serie A on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Pisa secured their first win of 2026 in front of a defiant home crowd at the Arena Garibaldi. Although The Towers entered the tie as underdogs, they produced a spirited performance that was not without its fair share of drama.
Durosinmi started the match for Pisa but was sent off in the 37th minute for violent conduct following a heated clash with Yerry Mina. At the time of his dismissal, Pisa held a slender lead thanks to a 9th-minute penalty from Stefano Moreo.
Despite being a man down, Pisa showed immense character. A second-half brace from Antonio Caracciolo ensured that Leonardo Pavoletti’s strike for Cagliari was nothing more than a consolation goal.
An action-packed second half sees the hosts take the win #PisaCagliari pic.twitter.com/Dwus7M5Ui1
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 15, 2026
The result moves Pisa to 19th in the Serie A standings with 18 points from 29 games. However, with only nine matches remaining, they remain seven points adrift of safety.
Watch Highlights of Pisa vs Cagliari
Hiljemark Deflects Questions on Rafiu Durosinmi Dismissal
Speaking after the final whistle, Oscar Hiljemark was asked for his thoughts on the incident involving his Nigerian forward. The Swedish tactician chose his words carefully, claiming he did not have a clear view of the altercation.
”I didn't see the red card incident, but what matters most are the three points—both for the city and for the fans,” Hiljemark stated.
The coach’s deflective reply likely comes from a desire to avoid public controversy, especially given that nowadays, benches have immediate access to video replays for analysis.
For Durosinmi, the red card represents a significant setback. The striker had only recently begun to command regular minutes in the starting lineup.
The 23-year-old striker is now set to miss the next two fixtures, an issue that could potentially strain his relationship with Hiljemark at a critical juncture in the season.
While Pisa still faces a mountain to climb to avoid the drop, they will be hoping this victory acts as a catalyst for a late-season survival bid.
