Cagliari climbed out of the relegation zone with their second victory of the campaign against rivals Chievo.
Robert Acquafresca gave the hosts the lead in the 30th minute and Michele Fini extended the lead in the second half - doubling their goals scored total.
Chievo's failure to hit the target cost them as Cagliari held on to secure their second successive win after just one point from their previous six Serie A fixtures.
Cagliari coach Massimiliano Allegri had claimed that the encounter was "like a Champions League final" for his team.
And his players responded as such, particularly Acquafresca.
The forward threatened early on and Mario Yepes was forced to make a decisive tackle as the forward bore down on Chievo's goal.
The visiting defense had already been placed on the back foot when Alessandro Agostini whipped in a dangerous ball only for goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino to make a crucial intervention.
Chievo had their first attempt on goal in the 18th minute when Michele Marcolini let fly from 25 yards but was disappointed to see his shot go wide of the left-hand post.
A minute later, the hosts appeared to have taken the lead when Andrea Lazzari set up Acquafresca from Biondini's cross and the forward's effort was wrongly ruled out for offside.
But the forward had his revenge midway through the first half.
Fini teed up Acquafresca and his powerful shot beat Sorrentino in the Chievo goal.
The visitors came back into the game and could have leveled before half-time as Cagliari were felt the pressure.
Goalkeeper Federico Marchetti looked particularly vulnerable as he failed to claim a cross but Chievo's attack failed to react quickly enough before Lopez Rodriguez hooked the ball clear.
Chievo continued to press for an equaliser after the break.
Vincenzo Italiano escaped down the right crossed for Mauro Esposito but his header was offside.
Moments later, Cagliari threatened to extend their lead when Biondini's great ball found Acquafresca but, in turn, the forward failed to find an accurate pass with Lazzari in a promising position.
But the missed opportunity did not haunt the hosts, as they doubled their lead after 54 minutes.
Biondini was once again the instigator on the right and his pass found Fini who turned past the defender and shot low past Sorrentino.
The pressure on the away defense increased and Davide Mandelli's keen anticipation prevented Francesco Pisano's cross from reaching the dangerous Acquafresca in the middle.
Despite being two goals down, the visitors were still creating chances.
Substitute Erjon Bogdani supplied an inviting cross for Sergio Pellissier but his diving header from the centre of the penalty area went wide of the target.
Simone Bentivoglio also failed to hit the target - this time from 30 yards out - as Marchetti watched the shot fly over.
