The 2019-20 campaign for Cagliari, marking their centenary, was a season of soaring ambition and eventual frustration as Casteddu finished 14th in Serie A. The season began in extraordinary fashion with the loan arrival of Radja Nainggolan and the team surged as high as fourth place in December, playing fast and intense football, but their form ultimately "all petered out," leading to a mid-season managerial change. Leading the charge throughout was the brilliant Brazilian forward João Pedro, whose career-best 18 league goals proved vital in ultimately securing a mid-table spot and remains a defining chapter in the club's centenary season.