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Lulli, Pisilli and Mora lead Roma's young guns back from a rough start
·28 October 2026·3h ago

Lulli, Pisilli and Mora lead Roma's young guns back from a rough start

Source: Forza Roma

Roma's young players turned a difficult start into a fightback, with Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora all making decisive contributions. Pisilli's cold mistake led to the penalty awarded to Cagliari, which Nzola converted. Roma responded quickly, as Lulli rose to head the equaliser just five minutes later, a 1-1. He was among the best players on the pitch for Roma throughout.

Pisilli then scored the 2-1, set up by Lulli, so the young midfielder's error was soon forgiven. Rodrigo Mora, the Portuguese talent, came on in the 56th minute for Marten de Roon. He had been expected to start, but he was still decisive, scoring the 3-2 in the 85th minute with an assist from Daniele Ghilardi, another young player in the group. The article notes that the group's strength lies in reacting immediately to setbacks, and that these Under-23 Roma players are determined to make their voices heard alongside the club's senior stars.

Writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mario Canfora praised Lulli, a player from Palestrina born in August 2007, who has always stood out for his speed, coordination, reading of the game and character. In his home town he is known as "il Sindaco" (the Mayor), a nickname earned for his leadership. Mora, a 2007-born Portuguese talent, cost 50 million euros, payable as 25 million this year and 25 million next year, with an alternative of 50 percent of any future resale. That makes him, in effect, the most expensive signing in Roma's history.

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Story Coverage6 sources on this story

Roma beat Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico, with academy products Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora at the centre of the performance. Nzola converted a penalty for Cagliari after Pisilli conceded it, but Lulli headed Roma level five minutes later and Pisilli then scored the 2-1, set up by Lulli. Mora came on for Marten de Roon in the 56th minute and scored the decisive goal in the 85th, assisted by Daniele Ghilardi, according to Roma News and Forza Roma.

The outlets differ on the details. One Roma News report gives a 4-2 final score, but a second Roma News piece and Forza Roma describe Maldini equalising and Malen scoring, which does not fit that account of the final goals. Roma News says Pisilli's hand from a corner led to the penalty after a VAR review, while Forza Roma calls it a cold mistake. Roma News describes Roma as far from their best, whereas Forza Roma frames the result as a fightback from a rough start.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Mora cost €50 million, payable as €25 million this year and €25 million next year, with an alternative of 50% of any future resale, making him the club's most expensive signing. Forza Roma quotes Gasperini saying Mora still needs to develop technically and physically before he can play 90 minutes, and praising Lulli's header and Mora's strike.

AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.

Testo Originale / Source Text

“Ragazzi sfrontati. Sì, accanto ai soliti big c'è un gruppetto di talento che fa la voce grossa, lotta su ogni pallone e non si abbatte se, come nel caso di Pisilli che ha causato il rigore assegnato al Cagliari, l'inizio non è proprio da ricordare. Ma la forza di questi Under 23 romanisti è tutta…”

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

Read original on Forza Roma →

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Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo has questioned Santiago Castro's recent form and voiced doubts about the club's transfer business, in comments on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5). Fellow pundit Nando Orsi also praised Roma's display against Cagliari. Pruzzo said Gasperini would have taken off Mora had he had another substitute available, but he was pleased that two academy players had solved the team's problems. He said: "If Gasp had another substitute, Mora would have been taken off. But I'm happy that two lads from the youth team have solved the problems. I'm a fan of Castro, but Mina put him in his pocket yesterday. He needs to make a mental switch; Molina struggles in Italian football. I have big doubts about the Roma market." Orsi insisted Roma had not struggled against Cagliari and felt the team could never have lost the match. He said: "Roma did not struggle against Cagliari. The feeling I had is that Roma could never lose the match. Gollini saved the team, I'm happy for him. Anyway, the giallorossi were far too superior to Cagliari."

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