Gasperini backs de Roon: 'He could not have ended up on the shelf. It is a fortune to have him at Roma'

Mile Svilar has returned to Rome, with the Roma goalkeeper set to undergo fresh instrumental tests tomorrow as he continues his recovery from injury. Reports from Manà Manà Sport Roma state that Svilar, after flying to Belgium to work on his recovery from a fracture to his toe, is back in the capital and is due to be examined again on Wednesday. The tests are another important step on his road back to the pitch, with a possible return to action as early as next week. Svilar is Roma's top player, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is eager to have him back in the side at a crucial moment in the season, with Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo all on the fixture list. The Belgian spell was aimed at getting him in the best possible shape after the injury, and the club will now assess the results of the new examinations before deciding on his return to training and matches.

Academy products Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli turned the match around for Roma after Nzola had put Cagliari ahead, and former defender Aldair has publicly praised the pair. The two youngsters, both raised in the Roma youth system, are appearing more often in Gian Piero Gasperini's rotation, a development that has not gone unnoticed at the Stadio Olimpico. Aldair, the former Brazilian defender, singled out the personality the two players have shown on the pitch. Writing on social media, he dedicated a message to the young pair. The scene carried symbolic weight: two products of the club's youth sector made an impact in a Serie A match and are becoming an increasingly integral part of Gasperini's Roma. Aldair wrote: "It is wonderful to see Emanuele and Niccolò taking their place with this shirt. I like the personality with which they play, without fear and with a great desire to help the team." He added: "Seeing these young men grow and do well with Roma is a joy for me too. Good lads, keep it up. We are all with you."

Academy products Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli combined to turn the game around for Roma after Nzola's penalty, and their performance has drawn praise from former Roma defender Aldair. The two youngsters, both products of the Giallorossi youth system, formed an entirely Roman pairing that impressed the Brazilian legend. Writing on social media, Aldair praised the pair for seizing their chances in the shirt. His message read: "Che bello vedere Emanuele e Niccolò prendersi il loro spazio con questa maglia. Mi piace la personalità con cui giocano, senza paura e con tanta voglia di dare una mano alla squadra." The 1990s defender also highlighted the pride of seeing young players develop at the club. Aldair continued: "Vedere questi ragazzi crescere e fare bene con la Roma è una gioia anche per me. Bravi ragazzi, continuate così. Siamo tutti con voi."

Roman radio pundits were largely focused on Roma after the win over Cagliari, with the debate centring on Mancini's performance, Mora's goal and the fitness of Paulo Dybala. David Rossi of Rete Sport said: “Maybe it was the worst match Mancini has played since he’s been here at Roma. Honestly, after that first half I didn’t think he could come back out, and yet he did.” He added: “In a normal world, you had to take Mancini off after 20 minutes. He wasn’t presentable.” Gianluca Piacentini said Mora's goal had silenced his serial critics, and praised Gasperini for stressing that the points Roma have taken this season, the same number as last season, carry greater weight because they came against Como, Inter, Napoli and Atalanta. Mario Corsi of Tele Radio Stereo defended Mancini against the whistles he received, saying: “Mancini plays as a striker on Gasperini’s orders. You can’t go back and forth at two hundred an hour; you lose something along the way.” On the Roma-Cagliari match, Corsi described it as a lacklustre game, adding that the young players had turned it around. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport praised Gollini, who made three important saves, and said he was playing with a concentration he had never shown before, having been given a great opportunity by Svilar’s misfortune. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio said: “Mora? If Gasperini had another substitute, he’d have taken him off after a quarter of an hour. That was my impression.” He also said he was pleased that Pisilli and Lulli had partly sorted out the match, and said: “If you have to compare yourself to the Roma market, my friend… I had backed Castro, but if Mina has you in his pocket for 80 minutes, you need changing.” He added that Molina struggles to play in Italian football, and that De Roon was static in midfield. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio said: “I thought Roma never would lose this one.” Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio said Roma had suffered before taking full points. Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista said Roma are unbeaten with six wins and three draws, and argued that Lazio’s eight wins from nine carry a different weight. He said: “I don’t see the Leicester effect in any way. If Lazio finish in the top three, I’ll become a priest.” Mario Corsi said Lazio do not have a team fit for the top places, and Torri noted that Lazio have taken 25 points from 27, with fixtures against Roma, Napoli, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Torino still to come. The focus then turned to the coming fixtures. Alessio Nardo said the Dybala situation was thorny: he had seemed set to return against Cagliari, but now risked missing the next three matches. He said: “I expect a very, very difficult match against Udinese, and it will take a great Roma to win it.” Lorenzo Pes said Dybala had returned to training on Sunday but would miss Saturday’s game against Udinese, adding: “I think he doesn’t want to miss Manchester-Roma at Old Trafford.” Checco Oddo Casano said the doubt for Saturday against Udinese would be between Mora and De Roon, and said the club’s hopes in attack now depend on Soulé.

Manu Koné is the player Roma cannot do without, according to the article, ahead of even Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala. The French midfielder is described as Gasperini's man of balance, an element who seems impossible to replace. The numbers back this up: with Koné on the pitch, Roma have conceded 4 goals in 7 matches; without him, they have conceded 9 in just 5. His withdrawal against Real Madrid, with a mask on his face and pain visible in his eyes, had already set off alarm bells. From that moment, Roma's defensive phase appeared to lose its certainties. The article argues that Koné is not a player of spectacular moments but of balance, which allows others to shine. In Gasperini's side, Roma take considerable risks when attacking: the full-backs push forward, the attacking midfielders move close to Malen, and the team pushes up to win the ball back immediately. When the press is beaten or opponents counter, Koné steps in. His contribution, the article says, is measured not only by tackles won but by the dangerous moves that never develop. According to StatsNext, he averages 5.3 balls recovered, 1.75 tackles and around 0.9 interceptions per 90 minutes. Team data is also highlighted: with him on the pitch Roma conceded 0.57 goals per match, against 1.8 without him. The article acknowledges that this figure alone does not prove a direct link between his absence and the defensive difficulties, but says it merits attention. Against Cagliari the difference was evident, the article states. Pisacane's side passed through with ease, transitions flowed, and Roma left gaps. De Roon was struggling and Cristante was not at his best. The midfield needed a Manu, the player Roma have held on to for years and whom Gasperini never wants to lose. The article concludes that the data supports this view, though it was evident even without the numbers. The immediate goal is to have Koné back for the match against Sassuolo. Gasperini is waiting for him, and so is Roma.

Roma secured three points against Cagliari, winning despite struggling at times, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side can look ahead with confidence. Italian newspapers' player ratings singled out Lulli as the best performer on the pitch, with Pisilli and Mora also praised, while Mancini drew criticism for a disappointing display. The papers described a young Roma side that was strong and winning, if less fluent than usual. The ratings from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo, Corriere della Sera and Leggo all gave Lulli a 7.5, the highest mark in the team across the outlets. Lulli started at left centre-back in the back three, while Mora came on for de Roon and was rated 7 or higher by every paper, earning 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera. Soulé also drew strong marks, rated 7 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero. Gollini was rated 7 or 7.5 across the board, and Ghilardi, who replaced Mancini, earned 7 from Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera. Mancini was the most criticised Roma player, receiving 5.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport, 6 from Corriere dello Sport, 4.5 from Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera, and 5 from Il Tempo and Leggo. Rensch, who came on for Lulli, was marked between 5 and 6. Wesley replaced Molina at the break and was rated between 5.5 and 6.5. Malen, who replaced Castro, earned 6.5 or 7 from every outlet. Gasperini received a 7 from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Leggo, a 6.5 from Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo, and a 6 from Corriere della Sera.