Gasperini praises Dybala as Roma's standout performer

Cagliari are preparing for their Serie A clash with Roma after losing 2-0 to Bologna the previous day. The players gathered at the CRAI Sport Center on Sunday morning to begin preparations for the match, which is the midweek fixture for Matchday 9 and is scheduled for the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 27 October with a 20:45 kickoff. Cagliari coach Pisacane split the squad into two work groups. Players who featured most heavily against Bologna carried out recovery sessions between the pitch and the gym, while the others took part in technical and possession drills. The squad trains again on Monday 26 October in the morning before travelling to Rome in the afternoon. Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is scheduled to speak to the media at Trigoria at 13:30, one hour after Pisacane's press conference at 12:30. Pisacane's press conference is set for 12:30 on Monday, giving Cagliari's view of the trip to the capital ahead of the Roma match. Gasperini's session follows an hour later at 13:30 at Trigoria, bringing both coaches before the cameras on the same afternoon.

Gian Piero Gasperini has already turned the page on Roma's 3-3 draw at Napoli, with the squad back in training for Tuesday's home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. The Roma head coach consoled himself with a traditional Roman Sunday lunch at the historic restaurant La Villetta dal 1940, where he was pictured smiling on the restaurant's social media channels. The draw at the Maradona came less than 24 hours before the lunch, and the result still stings. The smile reflects both his frustration at the result against Napoli and his belief that this side, although not at full strength and missing important players, can still compete. Gasperini will face the media at a press conference tomorrow at 13:30. Roma's focus now shifts to Cagliari, with the squad already back on the training ground to prepare for the Tuesday fixture.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his usual eve-of-match press conference tomorrow at 13:30 ahead of Roma's Serie A ninth-round clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening. The coach is expected to address the team's condition, the threats posed by the opponents and the recovery progress of injured players Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Paulo Dybala, with Dybala potentially back in the matchday squad. The build-up follows a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Napoli, in which Roma twice rescued a point after falling behind. Having drawn level twice, the Giallorossi now turn their attention straight to the home fixture against Cagliari, a game that carries significant weight as the team looks to build on that resilient display. Gasperini's briefing will give supporters a first official update on the squad's fitness ahead of the midweek fixture. Dybala's possible return would be a boost for Roma's attack, while the availability of Svilar and Koné will also be closely watched as the coach finalises his selection for the match at the Olimpico.

Napoli 1-1 Roma ended in a point for Roma in the Capital, but the match also brought controversy and standout performances. Max Allegri has come under fire after his comments in the press room at the Maradona, and the Giudice Sportivo is expected to rule on Monday, with a possible file opened by the Procura Federale. Fans are looking to Trigoria for a response, with the Friedkins expected to defend Roma. On the pitch, two Argentines shone. Matías Soulé, wearing the number 18, carried the team on his shoulders in the Maradona, scoring his third goal of the season and posting top-level numbers, and earning praise from Giaccherini. Leonardo Balerdi became the 12th different scorer in Gasperini's total football, and the centre-back has entered the history books at the Maradona. Balerdi's fiancée dedicated a sweet message to the defender. Mancini's impression of Allegri was also widely shared and very funny. Dybala is returning from injury ahead of the Roma-Cagliari fixture.

Massimiliano Allegri could face disciplinary action after his comments following Napoli's 3-3 draw with Roma at the Maradona. His remark to Roma, “Last year they put the Champions League in their pocket. Always them…”, has been included in the report from the Federal Prosecutor's inspectors sent to the Giudice Sportivo. The report also recounts the Napoli coach's reaction after Roma's third goal, which led to his expulsion by referee Colombo. Allegri now risks a sanction, which could be a fine or a suspension of one or more matches. According to Nicolò Schira, Allegri's comments on alleged refereeing favours in the race for the Champions League were not welcomed at Trigoria. Roma are convinced they secured qualification last season purely through their results on the pitch. Milan were also drawn into the row, having lost to Cagliari in the final round of last season's Serie A, a result that forms part of the account of the battle for a Champions League place. In better news for Roma, Paulo Dybala trained with the group for part of Tuesday's session at Trigoria, moving closer to recovering from the calf injury that has kept him out of the games against Genoa, Slovan Bratislava and Napoli. La Joya is aiming to return to the matchday squad for Tuesday's game against Cagliari, possibly starting on the bench. Mile Svilar also shows encouraging signs and could be fit in time for the Champions League trip to Manchester United on 3 November. Speaking on Radio Radio, Aspri said: “I haven't seen such a negative game. I saw a lot of competitive fire and a lot of desire from both teams. Molina came on and gave quality and sparkle on the flank. I would have also brought on Lulli, who is in great form and could have been useful with the energy he has. Perhaps Gasperini preferred to rely on experienced players. Soulé is completing a maturation that was struggling to arrive, also because of the pubalgia, which the medical staff is working on very seriously. Without Dybala, it is he who has taken Roma by the hand.” On Radio Manà Manà Sport, Trevisani said: “Svilar returns before the break, perhaps in Manchester and almost certainly for Sassuolo. Dybala will also return before the break, probably in Udine.”

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 27 October at 20:45 in the ninth round of Serie A, with the game broadcast live on DAZN. Gian Piero Gasperini's side come into the fixture straight after a 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona, while Fabio Pisacane's Cagliari are looking to end a losing run after a 2-0 home defeat to Bologna. With only a short turnaround between matches, Gasperini may rotate several players. Svilar is still sidelined, so Gollini keeps goal. The main decisions are in defence: Mancini and Hermoso returned to the starting line-up against Napoli after both began the match on the bench against Slovan Bratislava, while N'Dicka has been one of the most used players in recent weeks. The Ivorian could be rested, opening a place for Balerdi, who is coming off a particularly positive run. Ghilardi and Koulierakis remain in contention. Wesley may start on the bench with Molina ready to return, while Lulli is gaining ground on the other flank. In midfield Gasperini must pick two from Cristante, de Roon and Pisilli, with the young midfielder able to find space during the game. Up front, the picture is clearer: Malen remains the central reference point, Soulé should keep his place after an excellent display at Napoli, and Mora may play alongside the Argentine, with Castro initially on the bench. Roma's injury list is significant. Svilar is still out with a fractured toe, Koné is sidelined with a first-degree tear of the hamstring, Dybala is out with a small calf injury, and Pellegrini continues his recovery from a high-grade lesion at the distal musculotendinous junction of the semitendinosus in his right thigh. Roma's probable line-up is Gollini; Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, de Roon, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Available substitutes: Vásquez, De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Wesley, Rensch, Ghilardi, Pisilli, Castro. Gasperini has no suspended or cautioned players. The competing selections are Mancini-Ghilardi, Hermoso-Koulierakis, Balerdi-N'Dicka and de Roon-Pisilli. Cagliari are expected to line up in a 4-3-2-1 with Caprile in goal, Mina partnering J. Rodriguez in the centre of defence, and Zé Pedro and Obert completing the back line. The main doubt is in midfield, where Winks injured his back against Bologna and his fitness will be assessed up to the last hours. If he is ruled out, Gagliardini starts, with Romano and Adopo completing the unit. Maldini should start from the first minute, Fazzini is ahead of Massolin, and Kevin Carlos is ahead of Mendy as the centre-forward, with Nzola deeper. Idrissi and Felici are out with cruciate ligament ruptures. Cagliari's probable line-up is Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, J. Rodriguez, Obert; Romano, Gagliardini, Adopo; Fazzini, Maldini; Kevin Carlos. Cagliari have lost their last two league games, 4-0 to Monza and 2-0 to Bologna. Roma have the clear head-to-head advantage in Rome. There have been 49 official meetings at the Olimpico, with 26 Roma wins, 17 draws and six Cagliari victories. The most recent meeting in the capital came on 9 February 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Cagliari's last win in Rome was a 4-2 victory on 1 February 2013. The official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kick-off and will be updated live on the match page.