Daniel Maldini sparks Cagliari run with goal streak in Serie A

Daniel Maldini, the Cagliari forward, helped set the tone early against Juventus, scoring inside the first quarter-hour after a sequence that started with his cut in from the left. It marked a fourth consecutive Serie A game where the former Milan man has scored, and came as a perfect gift for his 25th birthday.

His past few weeks have been anything but simple. Last month, his driving licence was taken away following a crash in which he failed a breathalyser test; later hospital checks for narcotics were negative. Despite the controversy, he still earned a call-up to Italy for the first time since Roberto Mancini returned as coach.

Now at Cagliari, Maldini is fitting into Fabio Pisacane’s project, with the team arriving in fine form after a strong start and momentum from last season’s late rally.