Gasperini on fixture congestion, Malen's omission and Roma's trip to face Cagliari

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said that leaving Donyell Malen out of the side for the Roma-Cagliari clash, the ninth round of Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico, was a choice dictated by the fixture schedule. Speaking before the match, 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." In English: "Every match has its difficulties, different ones, but they are there. It is clear that playing so close together produces knocks and aftereffects. It is not the same as playing once a week. But it can give confidence to the players, even to those who play less. It is an opportunity for them." The fixture is being played against a backdrop of congested fixtures, and Gasperini drew a comparison with the recent match against Genoa. He asked whether Roma can prove they are a great side in such a tight run of games, and said that the schedule makes recovery and player wear a real factor for the squad. Looking ahead to the opponents, Gasperini said he expects Cagliari to be ready to push forward play down the flanks and in attack. He singled out Nzola and Fadera as players to watch, noting that Cagliari have important changes on the bench. Roma, he said, must play with quality and tempo. Asked whether leaving out Malen, who is a key figure for the side, signalled a guarantee of strength in depth, Gasperini replied: "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." In English: "This choice is a product of the calendar. And then Castro played two matches ago and was decisive. In such a packed schedule we must have all our players at their best, not only Malen." Santiago Castro's recent performance was highlighted as evidence of the squad's depth, with Gasperini stressing that the whole group needs to be fit and sharp.

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.

Pierluigi Gollini has said Roma know exactly what they need to do against Cagliari, with the Giallorossi facing a tough test in their ninth Serie A match of the season. Speaking ahead of the fixture, the goalkeeper acknowledged the demanding schedule and the absences the squad has been dealing with. Gollini admitted the team has been playing a lot of football, as have other sides involved in cup competitions. He stressed that the squad had expected a demanding period. The Napoli game is now behind them, and he insisted the team cannot dwell on the previous match. Asked whether the squad was tired given the many commitments and absences, Gollini said: "Surely we are playing a lot, as the others who are in the cups are also playing a lot. We knew it would be a demanding period. Napoli we have put behind us, you cannot stay on the previous match. We know that tonight we face a tough team and we know what we have to do." The fixture against Cagliari is set for tonight.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said that leaving Donyell Malen out of the side for the Roma-Cagliari clash, the ninth round of Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico, was a choice dictated by the fixture schedule. Speaking before the match, 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." In English: "Every match has its difficulties, different ones, but they are there. It is clear that playing so close together produces knocks and aftereffects. It is not the same as playing once a week. But it can give confidence to the players, even to those who play less. It is an opportunity for them." The fixture is being played against a backdrop of congested fixtures, and Gasperini drew a comparison with the recent match against Genoa. He asked whether Roma can prove they are a great side in such a tight run of games, and said that the schedule makes recovery and player wear a real factor for the squad. Looking ahead to the opponents, Gasperini said he expects Cagliari to be ready to push forward play down the flanks and in attack. He singled out Nzola and Fadera as players to watch, noting that Cagliari have important changes on the bench. Roma, he said, must play with quality and tempo. Asked whether leaving out Malen, who is a key figure for the side, signalled a guarantee of strength in depth, Gasperini replied: "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." In English: "This choice is a product of the calendar. And then Castro played two matches ago and was decisive. In such a packed schedule we must have all our players at their best, not only Malen." Santiago Castro's recent performance was highlighted as evidence of the squad's depth, with Gasperini stressing that the whole group needs to be fit and sharp.

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.

AS Roma lead Cagliari 2-1 at half-time at the Stadio Olimpico, after Lulli and Pisilli scored within seven minutes to overturn Nzola's early penalty in the ninth round of Serie A. The midweek fixture was Roma's first home game since their 3-3 draw at Napoli, and they are looking for three points to stay close to the top of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini made several changes from the trip to Napoli. Mora and Malen were left out, with Castro leading the line and Soulé and Pisilli playing behind him. Koulierakis was given a chance in defence, while Lulli played on the right with Mancini and Ndicka in the centre and Molina on the left. Gollini was in goal, with Cristante and De Roon in midfield. Dybala was expected to start on the bench as he returns to the squad. Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini remained unavailable for Roma. Cagliari, coached by Fabio Pisacane, lined up in a 5-3-2 with Caprile in goal, but were without Winks, who is sidelined by lower back pain. Trepy was back in the squad. Cagliari took the lead on 9 minutes, when Nzola sent Gollini the wrong way from the spot after referee Feliciani pointed to the penalty spot following a VAR review of a handball by Pisilli. Roma responded quickly. On 14 minutes Molina crossed from the left and Lulli rose to power a header into the net. Seven minutes later Lulli burst down the right and sent a low cross into the box, and Pisilli finished with his right foot past Caprile. Roma had earlier threatened through Mancini, who was played in by Soulé on 5 minutes but was denied by Caprile, and Soulé tested the Cagliari keeper from a free kick on 25 minutes. Cagliari hit back on 33 minutes, when Gollini saved from Adopo, Lulli blocked a close-range effort from Nzola, and the ball struck the post before going behind for a corner. Gollini had to be alert again on 43 minutes after Mancini was beaten by Adopo, who then fired wide. The second half began with Wesley replacing Molina on 46 minutes. On 53 minutes Cagliari were dangerous again, when a mix-up between De Roon and Cristante allowed Deiola to shoot with his right foot from the edge of the box. Gollini got a hand to the effort and turned it behind for a corner. The match officials were Feliciani from Teramo, assisted by Zingarelli and Fontani, with Mariani as fourth official, Ghersini as VAR and Camplone as assistant VAR. Roma remain 2-1 ahead as the second half continues.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said that leaving Donyell Malen out of the side for the Roma-Cagliari clash, the ninth round of Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico, was a choice dictated by the fixture schedule. Speaking before the match, 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." In English: "Every match has its difficulties, different ones, but they are there. It is clear that playing so close together produces knocks and aftereffects. It is not the same as playing once a week. But it can give confidence to the players, even to those who play less. It is an opportunity for them." The fixture is being played against a backdrop of congested fixtures, and Gasperini drew a comparison with the recent match against Genoa. He asked whether Roma can prove they are a great side in such a tight run of games, and said that the schedule makes recovery and player wear a real factor for the squad. Looking ahead to the opponents, Gasperini said he expects Cagliari to be ready to push forward play down the flanks and in attack. He singled out Nzola and Fadera as players to watch, noting that Cagliari have important changes on the bench. Roma, he said, must play with quality and tempo. Asked whether leaving out Malen, who is a key figure for the side, signalled a guarantee of strength in depth, Gasperini replied: "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." In English: "This choice is a product of the calendar. And then Castro played two matches ago and was decisive. In such a packed schedule we must have all our players at their best, not only Malen." Santiago Castro's recent performance was highlighted as evidence of the squad's depth, with Gasperini stressing that the whole group needs to be fit and sharp.

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.

AS Roma lead Cagliari 2-1 at half-time at the Stadio Olimpico, after Lulli and Pisilli scored within seven minutes to overturn Nzola's early penalty in the ninth round of Serie A. The midweek fixture was Roma's first home game since their 3-3 draw at Napoli, and they are looking for three points to stay close to the top of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini made several changes from the trip to Napoli. Mora and Malen were left out, with Castro leading the line and Soulé and Pisilli playing behind him. Koulierakis was given a chance in defence, while Lulli played on the right with Mancini and Ndicka in the centre and Molina on the left. Gollini was in goal, with Cristante and De Roon in midfield. Dybala was expected to start on the bench as he returns to the squad. Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini remained unavailable for Roma. Cagliari, coached by Fabio Pisacane, lined up in a 5-3-2 with Caprile in goal, but were without Winks, who is sidelined by lower back pain. Trepy was back in the squad. Cagliari took the lead on 9 minutes, when Nzola sent Gollini the wrong way from the spot after referee Feliciani pointed to the penalty spot following a VAR review of a handball by Pisilli. Roma responded quickly. On 14 minutes Molina crossed from the left and Lulli rose to power a header into the net. Seven minutes later Lulli burst down the right and sent a low cross into the box, and Pisilli finished with his right foot past Caprile. Roma had earlier threatened through Mancini, who was played in by Soulé on 5 minutes but was denied by Caprile, and Soulé tested the Cagliari keeper from a free kick on 25 minutes. Cagliari hit back on 33 minutes, when Gollini saved from Adopo, Lulli blocked a close-range effort from Nzola, and the ball struck the post before going behind for a corner. Gollini had to be alert again on 43 minutes after Mancini was beaten by Adopo, who then fired wide. The second half began with Wesley replacing Molina on 46 minutes. On 53 minutes Cagliari were dangerous again, when a mix-up between De Roon and Cristante allowed Deiola to shoot with his right foot from the edge of the box. Gollini got a hand to the effort and turned it behind for a corner. The match officials were Feliciani from Teramo, assisted by Zingarelli and Fontani, with Mariani as fourth official, Ghersini as VAR and Camplone as assistant VAR. Roma remain 2-1 ahead as the second half continues.