The Pisan army began their landing operations on the 26 February on the beach known today as of Mary Magdalene, in the area of Capoterra, west of Cagliari, under the watchful eye of twenty-five Aragonese knights who kept Alfonso IV constantly informed.
According to one account, the vanguard of the Pisan army led by the German Enrico della Mula, consisted of 200 horsemen and 300 foot soldiers.
In an effort to raise the Aragonese siege of the Pisan stronghold of Castel di Castro, he headed to the walled city, bypassing the pound of Santa Gilla through Uta and Decimomannu.
While part of the Pisan forces reached the castle, knights and foot soldiers remaining behind died fighting heroically or sinking under the weight of heavy armor in the muddy waters of the pond of Santa Gilla.
But was saved by the intervention of the noble Santa Pau and a Cervellón who fought valiantly to defend the king and prevent the banner of Aragon from falling into the hands of the Pisans.