Gasperini treats himself to a Roman lunch after Napoli draw

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini will face the media on Tuesday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. The head coach is returning to press conferences after missing the one held on the eve of the trip to Maradona, where Roma drew with Napoli. Roma are back in action straight after that draw with Napoli, and the Cagliari fixture comes quickly. Paulo Dybala is in good spirits after training partially with the group today. Manu Koné, Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini are ruled out. Rodrigo Mora could be handed a place in the starting line-up, expected to play behind Donyell Malen in a partnership with Matías Soulé.

Roma came back from behind to draw 3-3 at the Maradona against Napoli, with Soulé and Balerdi on the scoresheet, and Balerdi scored the first brace of his career in the giallorossi shirt. Massimiliano Allegri was sent off in the closing minutes for protesting at the result, and as he left the press room area the Napoli coach launched a furious attack: "Last year they put the Champions League in their pocket. Always them..." The remark was a reference to the Champions League race of last season, when Roma finished third while his Milan slipped to fifth, behind Como as well. Roma did not let Allegri's comments pass. The club reacted with surprise and irritation, considering the coach's jab out of place and insisting that its Champions League qualification was earned on the pitch, with no alleged help from referees. The club also pointed out that Milan had only needed to beat Cagliari at San Siro, a side already mathematically safe from relegation, to secure the pass to Europe's top competition. The exchange leaves a sour note between the two clubs as both look ahead to the new season, with Roma now competing in the UEFA Champions League for 2026-27 after qualifying through third place in Serie A 2025-26.