da doce： Claudio Ranieri and his Cagliari players celebrated wildly after the Serie A club staved off relegation by beating Sassuolo.

da bwin： Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Cagliari beat Sassuolo 2-0 in crucial clashVictory ensures they stay in Serie ARanieri soaked by players in joyous scenesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Islanders needed a win from their final two matches of the season to survive in Serie A, and they managed to put up a convincing performance in their penultimate game as they beat Sassuolo 2-0 to move up to 14th. After the contest, Cagliari's players celebrated jubilantly as they drenched their manager and former Leicester City boss Ranieri with water right after the full-time whistle.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ranieri had his work cut out at the club after helping them to secure promotion to the top division last season. Cagliari were off to a disastrous start as they managed to secure just three points from their first nine matches. The 72-year-old had offered to resign after taking responsibility for the team's failure, however, the club and the players convinced him to stay, and that decision has paid off.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CAGLIARI?

The Italian side are all set to face Fiorentina in their final game of the season on May 26. Although they are only three points above 18th-placed Empoli, with a plus one goal difference over their rivals, Serie A prioritises head to head records and not goal difference when teams are level on points. As Cagliari took four points from Empoli this season, even if they win their final match of the campaign and Ranieri's side lose, Cagliari will be safe from relegation.