Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in their Serie A ninth-round match, staying in touch with the top of the table. Nzola scored from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after Pisilli handled in the area, and Cagliari led early. Roma responded quickly. Lulli headed in a Molina cross in the 14th minute, and Pisilli made it 2-1 in the 21st with a right-foot finish after Lulli broke down the right and delivered a low cross. Roma went in 2-1 up at half-time, but they were far from comfortable, with Gollini forced to save from Adopo.
Gasperini made several changes from the Napoli trip, which ended 3-3. Castro started as the central striker, with Cristante and Soulé in support, while Koulierakis was given a chance in defence and Lulli and Molina played on the flanks. Mancini, Ndicka and Gollini also started. Roma were without Svilar, Koné and Pellegrini, all unavailable. Dybala was returning to the squad but began on the bench. Cagliari, coached by Fabio Pisacane, were without Winks, who was sidelined with lower back pain, while Trepy was available again.
The second half was tense. Wesley came on for Molina at the restart, and Cagliari continued to press. Roma were guilty of imprecision, and the visitors were physically sharper for long spells. Nzola troubled Ndicka with his physicality and Fadera forced Gollini into a save. Malen and Mora came on in the 55th minute, replacing Castro and De Roon. Roma then faced a late scare when Maldini finished in the area in the 82nd minute to make it 3-2, after Romano had released him. Mancini was replaced by Ghilardi in the 83rd minute, and Rensch came on for Lulli in the 76th minute.
Roma restored their lead with a fine header from Mora in the 85th minute. Ghilardi's deep cross found him, and Mora rose to head into the corner. Malen sealed the win in the 87th minute, when Mora's pass set him up to strike twice with his right foot. His first effort was blocked, but the second beat Caprile. Gollini made another save from Mendy in stoppage time, and the referee was Feliciani of Teramo. Roma stay in touch with the leaders after a 4-2 win that owed much to their resilience.
Story Coverage10 sources on this story
Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in their Serie A ninth-round match. Outlets agree that Nzola's penalty, awarded after a Pisilli handball, gave Cagliari an early lead, that Lulli and Pisilli struck to put Roma ahead, and that Mora and Malen decided the match late. Il Messaggero says the win moves Gasperini's side to within four points of league leaders Lazio.
The outlets differ on timings. Forza Roma dates the penalty to the 6th minute and Lulli's equaliser to the 11th, while GialloRossi.net gives the 9th and 14th. Maldini pulled a goal back for Cagliari in the 81st minute. For the late goals, GialloRossi.net has Mora heading in during the 85th and Malen scoring in the 87th, Forza Roma gives the 86th and 88th, and Roma News puts Malen's winner in the 87th.
Player ratings also vary. Il Messaggero gives Mora 7.5 and Malen 6.5, while GialloRossi.net and Forza Roma both rate Mora 7 and Malen 7. GialloRossi.net names Gollini the best Roma player despite two conceding and rates Lulli 7.5. Both GialloRossi.net and Forza Roma give Mancini a 5, with Forza Roma noting that Fadera exploited the space behind him. GialloRossi.net says Gasperini reversed Mora and Soulé's flanks at half-time, and that Mora changed the game after that. Roma News, meanwhile, says Malen's goal ended a run of three matches without scoring. Feliciani of Teramo refereed, according to GialloRossi.net.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Turno infrasettimanale allo Stadio Olimpico, dove questa sera la Roma di Gian Piero Gasperini ospita il Cagliari di Fabio Pisacane nella nona giornata di Serie A. I giallorossi tornano davanti al proprio pubblico dopo il pirotecnico 3-3 conquistato sul campo del Napoli e cercano tre punti…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.