Gasperini and Pisacane name their line-ups for Roma v Cagliari

A VAR review of Roma's match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico centres on a hand ball by Niccolò Pisilli, after which referee Feliciani awarded a penalty. The review also covers other disputed incidents, cautions, sendings-off and VAR decisions from the game.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said that knocks are normal given the number of matches the club is playing, as the team prepares for the Serie A ninth-round fixture against Cagliari. Gasperini addressed the media ahead of the match, which is part of the league's ninth matchday. Gasperini said that the league is made up of games like the one against Napoli and against sides such as Cagliari, where the difficulties are different but not necessarily fewer. He acknowledged that playing matches so close together brings knocks. "It is clearly the case that playing matches so close together brings knocks," he said. "It is not the same as playing once a week, but it is also the way to give confidence to everyone and show that we have a competitive squad." On Cagliari, Gasperini said he expects a side that stays proactive and is always ready to relaunch play down the flanks. He singled out Nzola and Fadera as two players Roma must watch closely. "So it will be a match in which we will have to play with great quality but also with lucidity," he said. Gasperini also spoke about Santiago Castro, who he said currently gives ample guarantees, meaning Donyell Malen could even start on the bench. He explained that this was tied to the schedule and to the fact that Castro played two matches ago and was decisive. "In such a crowded schedule we need to keep all the players at their best," he said.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to Dazn ahead of the clash with Cagliari, admitting that the tight run of matches is taking a physical toll on his squad. Gasperini said: "Sicuramente tutte le partite hanno difficoltà, diverse ma ci sono. È chiaro che giocare così ravvicinati genera acciacchi e strascichi. Non è la stessa cosa di giocare una volta a settimana. Però può dare fiducia ai giocatori, anche a quelli che giocano di meno. È una opportunità per loro." ("Every match brings difficulties, different ones, but they are there. It is clear that playing such closely spaced games creates knocks and aftereffects. It is not the same as playing once a week. However, it can give confidence to the players, even to those who play less. It is an opportunity for them.") Gasperini was asked whether today's fixture resembles the recent Genoa match and whether it is a chance to prove Roma are a great side. He expects Cagliari to be ready to push forward quickly, with their wide players and attack in the forefront of their game. He warned his side to be careful of Nzola and Fadera, noting that Cagliari have important substitutes. Roma, he said, must play with quality and tempo. Asked about leaving Donyell Malen out, which had seemed unthinkable, Gasperini said the decision was dictated by the schedule. He pointed to Santiago Castro, who played two matches ago and was decisive. Gasperini said: "È figlia del calendario questa scelta. E poi castro ha giocato due partite fa ed è stato determinante. In un calendario così fitto dobbiamo avere tutti i giocatori al meglio, non solo Malen." ("This choice is the child of the calendar. And besides, Castro played two matches ago and was decisive. In such a packed schedule we must have all our players at their best, not just Malen.")

Mile Svilar's absence has put Pierluigi Gollini back in the spotlight, and he is now Roma's number one, though only for the time being. The former Atalanta goalkeeper is ready to keep a clean sheet again, this time against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. He spoke to Dazn shortly before the match. Roma came back from behind to beat Napoli, and Gollini said the team arrived at this fixture with plenty of determination. "Obviously we are playing a lot, like the others who play in cups," he said. "We arrive very determined, Napoli is behind us. We know what awaits us tonight, we know what to do and how to approach it." Gollini has not played for two years, and he is now trying to prove himself again in goal. Asked for his own assessment after such a long absence, he said: "I feel good and I am trying to show that I am of a high level. But the important thing is Roma and making an important contribution."

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening in the ninth round of Serie A, and Gian Piero Gasperini has made several changes from the 3-3 draw at Napoli. Koulierakis gets a chance in defence, Lulli plays at right wing-back and Castro starts up front ahead of Cristante and Soulé in support. Mora and Malen are left out of the starting XI. Ghilardi and Balerdi were also in contention for a first-minute start but began on the bench. Roma return to their own fans after a dramatic 3-3 draw at Napoli, and they are looking to collect three important points to stay in touch with the top of the table. Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini are unavailable through injury. For Cagliari, coach Fabio Pisacane will be without Winks, who is sidelined by lower back pain, while Trepy is back in the squad. Roma's starting line-up is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, Cristante, De Roon, Molina; Soulé, Pisilli; Castro. Cagliari line up with Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, Rodríguez, Obert, Sugawara; Adopo, Romano, Deiola; Fadera, Nzola. The match is refereed by Feliciani of Teramo, with Zingarelli and Fontani as assistants, Mariani as fourth official, and Ghersini on VAR. The early action was lively. Mancini got into the area after a pass from Soulé and shot with his right foot, but Caprile made a strong save with his foot. Pisilli was then involved in a hand ball inside the Roma area, which led to a VAR check. Feliciani pointed to the spot after reviewing the monitor, and Nzola sent Gollini the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 9th minute to put Cagliari ahead. Lulli is credited with the equaliser in the 14th minute, and the headline records the score at 1-1. The next step is the rest of the first half, with Roma looking to respond to a fast start from the visitors. The live coverage from Giallorossi.net will continue through to the final whistle.

Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes as Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico in tonight's midweek ninth-round Serie A fixture, coached by Fabio Pisacane. Roma return home after a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Napoli and are looking to win three points to stay close to the top of the table. Gasperini is reportedly taking the chance of the short turnaround to change his starting eleven. Dybala is returning towards the squad but is expected to start on the bench, while Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini remain unavailable. On the Cagliari side, Winks is out with lower back pain, while Trepy is back in contention. According to the probable line-ups, Ghilardi and Balerdi could get a first-minute opportunity in defence, while Lulli and Molina are expected to operate on the flanks. Up front, Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are favoured to play behind Malen. Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Cagliari are expected in a 4-2-3-1: Caprile; Sugawara, Mina, Rodríguez, Obert; Romano, Deiola; Adopo, Maldini, Fazzini; Mendy. Roma's substitutes are Vásquez, De Marzi, Hermoso, Mancini, Wesley, Rensch, Koulierakis, Di Nunzio, De Roon, Camara and Castro. Cagliari's bench includes Sherri, Radunović, Kofler, Zé Pedro, Aurelio, Liteta, Sulev, Massolin, Gagliardini, Trepy, Kevin Carlos, Nzola, Fadera and Ciervo. The match is refereed by Feliciani of Teramo, with assistants Zingarelli and Fontani. The fourth official is Mariani, the VAR is Ghersini and the assistant VAR is Camplone.

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening in the ninth round of Serie A, and Gian Piero Gasperini has made several changes from the 3-3 draw at Napoli. Koulierakis gets a chance in defence, Lulli plays at right wing-back and Castro starts up front ahead of Cristante and Soulé in support. Mora and Malen are left out of the starting XI. Ghilardi and Balerdi were also in contention for a first-minute start but began on the bench. Roma return to their own fans after a dramatic 3-3 draw at Napoli, and they are looking to collect three important points to stay in touch with the top of the table. Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini are unavailable through injury. For Cagliari, coach Fabio Pisacane will be without Winks, who is sidelined by lower back pain, while Trepy is back in the squad. Roma's starting line-up is Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, Cristante, De Roon, Molina; Soulé, Pisilli; Castro. Cagliari line up with Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, Rodríguez, Obert, Sugawara; Adopo, Romano, Deiola; Fadera, Nzola. The match is refereed by Feliciani of Teramo, with Zingarelli and Fontani as assistants, Mariani as fourth official, and Ghersini on VAR. The early action was lively. Mancini got into the area after a pass from Soulé and shot with his right foot, but Caprile made a strong save with his foot. Pisilli was then involved in a hand ball inside the Roma area, which led to a VAR check. Feliciani pointed to the spot after reviewing the monitor, and Nzola sent Gollini the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 9th minute to put Cagliari ahead. Lulli is credited with the equaliser in the 14th minute, and the headline records the score at 1-1. The next step is the rest of the first half, with Roma looking to respond to a fast start from the visitors. The live coverage from Giallorossi.net will continue through to the final whistle.

Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes as Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico in tonight's midweek ninth-round Serie A fixture, coached by Fabio Pisacane. Roma return home after a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Napoli and are looking to win three points to stay close to the top of the table. Gasperini is reportedly taking the chance of the short turnaround to change his starting eleven. Dybala is returning towards the squad but is expected to start on the bench, while Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini remain unavailable. On the Cagliari side, Winks is out with lower back pain, while Trepy is back in contention. According to the probable line-ups, Ghilardi and Balerdi could get a first-minute opportunity in defence, while Lulli and Molina are expected to operate on the flanks. Up front, Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are favoured to play behind Malen. Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Cagliari are expected in a 4-2-3-1: Caprile; Sugawara, Mina, Rodríguez, Obert; Romano, Deiola; Adopo, Maldini, Fazzini; Mendy. Roma's substitutes are Vásquez, De Marzi, Hermoso, Mancini, Wesley, Rensch, Koulierakis, Di Nunzio, De Roon, Camara and Castro. Cagliari's bench includes Sherri, Radunović, Kofler, Zé Pedro, Aurelio, Liteta, Sulev, Massolin, Gagliardini, Trepy, Kevin Carlos, Nzola, Fadera and Ciervo. The match is refereed by Feliciani of Teramo, with assistants Zingarelli and Fontani. The fourth official is Mariani, the VAR is Ghersini and the assistant VAR is Camplone.

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico tonight in the ninth round of Serie A, and Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes to the side that drew 3-3 at Napoli. Koulierakis is reportedly in line to start from the first minute, and Castro is tipped to take over from Malen up front, with Malen's place reportedly under threat. Ghilardi and Balerdi are also in contention for starts in defence, while Lulli and Molina are expected on the flanks. The midweek fixture comes straight after the thrilling 3-3 draw at Napoli, and Roma will be looking to bounce back in front of their own fans and stay in touch with the top of the table. Gasperini has rotated his side for the quick turnaround. Paulo Dybala is returning to the matchday squad but is expected to begin on the bench. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini remain unavailable. Cagliari, coached by Fabio Pisacane, will be without Winks, who is sidelined with lower back pain, while Trepy is back in contention. The probable Roma XI is Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, Cristante, De Roon, Molina; Soulé, Pisilli; Castro. Roma's bench is Vásquez, De Marzi, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Rensch, Di Nunzio, Camara and Malen. Cagliari are expected to line up Caprile; Sugawara, Mina, Rodríguez, Obert; Romano, Deiola; Adopo, Maldini, Fazzini; Mendy. Their bench includes Sherri, Radunović, Kofler, Zé Pedro, Aurelio, Liteta, Sulev, Massolin, Gagliardini, Trepy, Kevin Carlos, Nzola, Fadera and Ciervo. The referee is Feliciani from Teramo, assisted by Zingarelli and Fontani. Mariani is the fourth official, Ghersini is on VAR and Camplone is assistant VAR.

Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes as Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico in tonight's midweek ninth-round Serie A fixture, coached by Fabio Pisacane. Roma return home after a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Napoli and are looking to win three points to stay close to the top of the table. Gasperini is reportedly taking the chance of the short turnaround to change his starting eleven. Dybala is returning towards the squad but is expected to start on the bench, while Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini remain unavailable. On the Cagliari side, Winks is out with lower back pain, while Trepy is back in contention. According to the probable line-ups, Ghilardi and Balerdi could get a first-minute opportunity in defence, while Lulli and Molina are expected to operate on the flanks. Up front, Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are favoured to play behind Malen. Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Gollini; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Balerdi; Lulli, Cristante, Pisilli, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Cagliari are expected in a 4-2-3-1: Caprile; Sugawara, Mina, Rodríguez, Obert; Romano, Deiola; Adopo, Maldini, Fazzini; Mendy. Roma's substitutes are Vásquez, De Marzi, Hermoso, Mancini, Wesley, Rensch, Koulierakis, Di Nunzio, De Roon, Camara and Castro. Cagliari's bench includes Sherri, Radunović, Kofler, Zé Pedro, Aurelio, Liteta, Sulev, Massolin, Gagliardini, Trepy, Kevin Carlos, Nzola, Fadera and Ciervo. The match is refereed by Feliciani of Teramo, with assistants Zingarelli and Fontani. The fourth official is Mariani, the VAR is Ghersini and the assistant VAR is Camplone.

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico tonight in the ninth round of Serie A, and Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes to the side that drew 3-3 at Napoli. Koulierakis is reportedly in line to start from the first minute, and Castro is tipped to take over from Malen up front, with Malen's place reportedly under threat. Ghilardi and Balerdi are also in contention for starts in defence, while Lulli and Molina are expected on the flanks. The midweek fixture comes straight after the thrilling 3-3 draw at Napoli, and Roma will be looking to bounce back in front of their own fans and stay in touch with the top of the table. Gasperini has rotated his side for the quick turnaround. Paulo Dybala is returning to the matchday squad but is expected to begin on the bench. Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini remain unavailable. Cagliari, coached by Fabio Pisacane, will be without Winks, who is sidelined with lower back pain, while Trepy is back in contention. The probable Roma XI is Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, Cristante, De Roon, Molina; Soulé, Pisilli; Castro. Roma's bench is Vásquez, De Marzi, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Rensch, Di Nunzio, Camara and Malen. Cagliari are expected to line up Caprile; Sugawara, Mina, Rodríguez, Obert; Romano, Deiola; Adopo, Maldini, Fazzini; Mendy. Their bench includes Sherri, Radunović, Kofler, Zé Pedro, Aurelio, Liteta, Sulev, Massolin, Gagliardini, Trepy, Kevin Carlos, Nzola, Fadera and Ciervo. The referee is Feliciani from Teramo, assisted by Zingarelli and Fontani. Mariani is the fourth official, Ghersini is on VAR and Camplone is assistant VAR.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his Roma squad for tonight's midweek home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico, with Paulo Dybala again absent. The Argentine forward is not in the list and will therefore be unavailable against Cagliari. Manu Koné and Mile Svilar are also left out of the squad. Young Camara has been included in the group Gasperini has available for the Olimpico fixture, and is listed among the forwards. The rest of the squad includes goalkeepers Vásquez, De Marzi and Gollini. The defenders are Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield options are Cristante, De Roon, Pisilli, Di Nunzio and Mora. The attacking options are Castro, Malen, Soulé and Camara. The selection makes clear which players are available to Gasperini for a match that comes just days into the stretch of fixtures ahead. With Dybala and Koné absent, the squad relies on the defensive and midfield depth listed, while Camara's inclusion gives the coach an additional option up front.