Borriello says Malen would sit on the bench at a big Spanish or English club

Former Roma striker Pruzzo has said Gasperini would have substituted Mora had he had another change available, but he was pleased that two academy players solved the team's problems. Speaking to Radio Radio Mattino, Pruzzo said: "If Gasperini had another change, Mora would have been taken off. But I am happy that two boys from the youth system have solved the problems." He added: "I am an admirer of Castro, but Mina put him in his pocket yesterday. He has to make a mental switch, Molina is struggling in Italian football. I have big doubts about the Giallorossi market." Roma's win over Cagliari drew comment from pundit Orsi, who also spoke to Radio Radio Mattino. He said: "Roma did not struggle against Cagliari. The feeling I had is that Roma could never lose the match. Gollini saved the team, I am happy for him. Anyway, the Giallorossi were far superior to Cagliari." Pruzzo's comments centre on the performance of Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro, whom he believes have yet to adapt, while Orsi's view was that the result never looked in doubt. Both pundits credited the Roma goalkeeper for his display, with Orsi saying the keeper had saved the side. Pruzzo's remarks on the transfer market underline his scepticism about the club's recent dealings.

Former Roma, Milan and Juventus striker Marco Borriello has said Donyell Malen would be a bench player at a top European side, and that Serie A has become more mediocre than in his day. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the early season, including Roma's start, Borriello also gave his view on his former team-mate Daniele De Rossi at Genoa. On Malen, Borriello said: "He has quality, Gasp brings it out of him, and then Serie A is no longer what it used to be: now there is more mediocrity than in my time. Malen scores a lot in Rome, but if you put him in a big Spanish or English side he sits on the bench." The comments put the Dutch forward's role at Roma under the spotlight, with Gian Piero Gasperini getting the credit for bringing out his best form. Borriello also spoke warmly about De Rossi, who is now in charge at Genoa. "I have known Daniele since the Italian Under-20 team. At Roma I was one of his most loyal followers, and he defended me many times. A great player and an extraordinary leader, and now he is showing himself to be a competent and intelligent coach: the 'Smart One'. If I were the president of Genoa, I would hold on to him tightly. De Rossi is a predestined one. My advice? Not to fall for certain provocations, football gossip that does not deserve to be taken seriously."

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo has questioned Santiago Castro's recent form and voiced doubts about the club's transfer business, in comments on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5). Fellow pundit Nando Orsi also praised Roma's display against Cagliari. Pruzzo said Gasperini would have taken off Mora had he had another substitute available, but he was pleased that two academy players had solved the team's problems. He said: "If Gasp had another substitute, Mora would have been taken off. But I'm happy that two lads from the youth team have solved the problems. I'm a fan of Castro, but Mina put him in his pocket yesterday. He needs to make a mental switch; Molina struggles in Italian football. I have big doubts about the Roma market." Orsi insisted Roma had not struggled against Cagliari and felt the team could never have lost the match. He said: "Roma did not struggle against Cagliari. The feeling I had is that Roma could never lose the match. Gollini saved the team, I'm happy for him. Anyway, the giallorossi were far too superior to Cagliari."

Rodrigo Mora headed the decisive goal as Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2, with Donyell Malen scoring the fourth. Mora, who stands 1.68 metres tall, rose to head home the 3-2 goal, a moment that reversed the momentum after the match had seemed to slip away from the hosts. Il Messaggero described the Portuguese forward's header as a moment that brought the young but tired Roma side back into the game. Gian Piero Gasperini was smiling at the final whistle despite a second half that his side played poorly, with many individual and collective errors, Roma conceding more than they should have and creating less than usual. The result came after Roma had shipped five goals in their last two matches, a worrying return even though the fear of conceding appeared to have disappeared against Cagliari. The win came in the style of Inter, with Roma absorbing pressure before striking back, and the Italian paper noted the Giallorossi tend to be pushed back without ever managing to counter seriously. Cagliari had the edge in shots in the closing stages, 9 to 8. Gollini, in the mould of Svilar, made a save to deny Mendy shortly before Maldini's goal put Cagliari in front, which proved to be the moment that woke Roma up for a second time. Mora flew to meet a cross from Ghilardi and headed in, a late development in the match. Malen then sealed the 4-2, collecting another fine piece of play from the Portuguese midfielder, after Mora had again been involved in delivering the ball into the area for the Dutch forward. Gasperini, the paper concluded, once again went beyond the difficulties and errors with his decisions in the closing stages.

Rodrigo Mora turned a difficult evening against Cagliari into a memorable one at the Olimpico, scoring a header that sparked the home crowd and setting up Donyell Malen's winning goal. The Portuguese had struggled in the early stages, as he had in recent matches, and his first-half role did not suit him. Gasperini kept his usual system, with two wide players behind the striker, but Mora found little room on either flank. Playing wide, left or right, does not appear to be his strength. The turning point came when Gasperini moved him to the left, alongside Matías Soulé and behind Malen. As the minutes passed, Mora drifted into the centre, operated as a trequartista and finally found his space. Soulé moved closer to Malen, and Roma took on almost a 3-4-1-2 shape. Mora grew in confidence from there, making runs into the box and giving free rein to his creativity. His header, which brought the Olimpico to its feet, defined his evening, but it does not tell the whole story. Even more significant was the invention that opened the way for Malen's liberating goal, a moment that was worth as much as a signature. It was a night for the young players and for Roma's green-and-yellow youth core. After the match, Mora made his ambitions clear: "Voglio lottare per essere titolare", which translates as "I want to fight to be a starter." He is trying to convince Gasperini to give him more minutes. The coach knows his qualities and, for now, regards him as a 'mina vagante', a dangerous wildcard. Mora is only 19, and time is on his side. That evening against Cagliari could turn out to have been far more than a special night.

Former Roma, Milan and Juventus striker Marco Borriello has said Donyell Malen would be a bench player at a top European side, and that Serie A has become more mediocre than in his day. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the early season, including Roma's start, Borriello also gave his view on his former team-mate Daniele De Rossi at Genoa. On Malen, Borriello said: "He has quality, Gasp brings it out of him, and then Serie A is no longer what it used to be: now there is more mediocrity than in my time. Malen scores a lot in Rome, but if you put him in a big Spanish or English side he sits on the bench." The comments put the Dutch forward's role at Roma under the spotlight, with Gian Piero Gasperini getting the credit for bringing out his best form. Borriello also spoke warmly about De Rossi, who is now in charge at Genoa. "I have known Daniele since the Italian Under-20 team. At Roma I was one of his most loyal followers, and he defended me many times. A great player and an extraordinary leader, and now he is showing himself to be a competent and intelligent coach: the 'Smart One'. If I were the president of Genoa, I would hold on to him tightly. De Rossi is a predestined one. My advice? Not to fall for certain provocations, football gossip that does not deserve to be taken seriously."