Roma vs Cagliari: probable line-ups, Balerdi and Lulli start, de Roon rested

Roma goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini produced a key save against former team-mate Matteo Politano during Napoli-Roma, and the two shared a light-hearted moment afterwards. In the 57th minute at the Maradona, with Napoli leading 2-0, Politano took advantage of an error by Wesley to go one-on-one with Gollini and try to seal the match. Napoli's number 21, however, had not reckoned with the effective rush off his line by the Roma keeper, who closed down the angle. The two were team-mates at Napoli in the 2023-24 season, and the exchange showed that their friendship runs deeper than the 90 minutes. Roma were beaten 2-0 at the time of the incident, with Wesley's mistake proving costly in the build-up. According to DAZN, which published the clip on Instagram, Gollini approached his friend after the save and embraced him, almost as a consolation, before giving him a friendly nudge towards the centre of the pitch.

Roma return to the Stadio Olimpico midweek to face Cagliari, coached by Pisacane, in their ninth Serie A round fixture, looking to bounce back in front of their own fans. Gasperini's side followed a 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona on Saturday with a win over Genoa and a 4-0 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava. The match is part of Serie A Enilive and will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN, with kick-off at 20:45. Fans will need a DAZN subscription to watch, which can be accessed through the app on a smart TV or a gaming console such as Xbox or PlayStation. Alternatively, the match can be streamed on devices including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and the TIM VISION Box. For those unable to watch, the match can be followed through the live commentary on Forzaroma.info and through social media updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Radio pundits were largely united in their verdict on Roma's recent draw with Napoli, with several praising head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and debating the referees' decisions. Speaking to Tele Radio Stereo, Corsi said: "A team that goes behind and, after giving everything, starts again, goes behind once more and equalises... there you need conviction, mental and physical strength. Gasperini has given this motivation that the Roma players haven't had for years. Right now Italy doesn't have the money to buy the great players, and the important thing is identity. And Roma now have an identity, and Gasperini is Roma right now." Pes, also on Tele Radio Stereo, was less convinced by Wesley's performance. He said: "At Napoli, Wesley did not convince me fully... very much in the shadows, perhaps one of the worst performances in giallorosso. Now we'll see if he plays tomorrow, because Gasp could change the line-up there." Piero Torri, speaking to Manà Manà Sport, said: "Perhaps it was the best Napoli of the season, but Roma did not steal anything. I am convinced that if Roma had gone ahead it would have ended up very close. Napoli at one point you crushed them with a defence set up, imagine if they had to open up to recover the result." Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista focused on the refereeing and on Wesley. He said Wesley was probably told to mark Politano on his right side, but "marking him on the right does not mean 'step aside', because on the cross he really did step aside. A real defender does not do that, and Wesley now and then has a lapse." He argued there was a difference in treatment between Malen's red card and the non-sending-off of Rafa Marin for the foul on Wesley, adding that the error was made on Malen because neither his nor Rafa Marin's challenge was a red card. He added: "If I don't want to be the protagonist as a referee, I give the yellow, then if it's a red the VAR tells me." Mattioli, on Radio Radio, said the match was very beautiful and contested despite the errors that are part of football. He said: "I didn't like Beukema's attitude, third-category, at a very delicate moment of the match. I would not underestimate Napoli; I have seen important players return to the level of their fame, and they can resume the path worthy of their strength." Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio, was harsher on Beukema: "He threw himself to the ground, he made a terrible impression, if he had stayed on his feet perhaps he would not have let his side concede a goal." He said he agreed with almost nothing about the game: "It was a festival of errors. Napoli threw away two points with a conduct of the match I struggle to understand. Roma struggled a lot but managed to get through it, and in the end it is an acceptable draw." Nando Orsi, on Radio Radio, defended the entertainment value of a 3-3 scoreline, saying: "Why do games that finish 3-3 have to be ugly? I don't understand... Thank goodness there are no more 0-0s. Were there errors? But what error is there in Anguissa's goal?"

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday in midweek Serie A action, with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointing weekend results. Roma came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Maradona Stadium on Saturday, while Cagliari lost 2-0 at home to Bologna. Gian Piero Gasperini's side remain unbeaten in Serie A (W5, D3) and have avoided defeat in their first eight league matches of the season for the first time since 2013/14. However, a third draw in their last four league outings has left the Giallorossi four points behind joint leaders Inter and Lazio. Roma are vying for their first Scudetto since the beginning of the century and will be desperate to return to winning ways against a Cagliari side they have enjoyed plenty of success against at the Olimpico lately. Fabio Pisacane's team face a stern test. Cagliari have suffered nine defeats in their last 11 league visits to Rome (D2) and have not scored in any of their four away league meetings with Roma since 2022 (L4), including a 2-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last season. Bologna's win condemned Cagliari to back-to-back league defeats for the first time since April, and the Sardinians have slipped to mid-table after a promising five-game start (W4, L1). They are winless in three consecutive league games (D1, L2), following a 4-0 defeat at Monza on their last Serie A trip. Their defence has also struggled: after conceding just twice in the opening five rounds, they have let in seven goals in their last three league outings. Cagliari last beat Roma at the Olimpico in February 2013. Roma have been strong at home, winning three of their four home league matches in 2026/27 (D1) and scoring at least two goals on each occasion. They have lost only one of their last 11 home games in all competitions (W8, D2), the exception being a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid in this season's Champions League. The Giallorossi have won six of their last seven Tuesday Serie A fixtures (L1) and have netted two or more goals in eight consecutive home outings. That feat has been managed in three of their last five home clashes against Cagliari. Gasperini's attacking football has not come at the expense of defensive stability, as Roma have conceded just one first-half goal in Serie A this season and have opened the scoring in 63% of their league matches. Cagliari have been much more impressive away from home, with three wins from four league games on the road (L1), just one shy of the four road victories they recorded in the whole of the 2025/26 season. Maintaining that form would significantly boost their chances of a first top-half finish in Serie A since 2008/06. Bryan Cristante has returned from injury at a good time for Roma, giving the team a major midfield boost, as Gasperini cannot call upon Lorenzo Pellegrini or Manu Kone. First-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar is also sidelined, but Paulo Dybala could make the bench on Tuesday. For Cagliari, long-term absentees Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici remain out. Harry Winks had to come off early against Bologna and is unlikely to start, with veteran Roberto Gagliardini expected to take his place in midfield. Roma (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Balerdi, Ndicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, De Roon, Cristante, Molina; Mora, Soule; Malen. Cagliari (4-3-2-1): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Gagliardini, Romano; Fadera, Maldini; Mendy. Roma are the favourites, with the preview predicting a Roma win.

Roman radio pundits were divided after Roma's 3-3 draw at Napoli, with debate centring on the match, Gollini, Wesley and Gian Piero Gasperini's tactics. Gianluca Piacentini (Rete Sport) said: “A glass half full given how the match had gone, but there is regret at how it developed, and that 3-2 goal. Without it, I think Roma would have won.” He added: “Roma have lost points to their rivals, but you have already played Atalanta, Inter, Napoli and Como and not lost. There is a step forward. In my view Roma's 18 points are worth more than Milan's, and more than Lazio's 22.” Piacentini also criticised Allegri, saying: “He is ageing badly.” Fabio Petruzzi (Rete Sport) praised the spectacle, saying Roma “deserved at least the draw” after the 2-2 score, and that “nobody thought the match was over at 2-0.” He said Roma had “made that Premier-style step” and was “hard to beat, never gives up”, though he disliked the Napoli counter-attacks Roma allowed. Petruzzi praised Gollini's “great saves” and said he made no error on McTominay's third goal. David Rossi (Rete Sport) said: “Overall it was not one of the best Romas of the year, there were moments when it did not look like the usual Roma. But Napoli have a strong side, they finished second last year. It was enough for a Roma not at 100% to leave with a point from a difficult ground.” Mario Corsi (Tele Radio Stereo) said Gasperini had given players a motivation that Roma's players had lacked for years. “Gasperini is Roma at this moment,” he said, adding that when the coach wanted Balerdi and De Roon because “they are two captains”, it meant he wanted to give the side an identity. Paolo Cosenza said the match had been “a wasted opportunity” and that he had been convinced Roma would win from 2-2, adding that Gasperini was “immense” with his substitutions but had not convinced him with the starting line-up. Lorenzo Pes said Wesley had been “very much in the shade” and that it was “perhaps one of the worst performances in giallorosso”, adding: “On Gollini I have heard many things, but I think he played a sufficient match. For me he is a normal goalkeeper, perhaps a little less.” Valentina Catoni (Tele Radio Stereo) argued: “We met a Napoli that had been battered for two months and then suddenly recovered form. I don't understand the disappointment of those who say we gifted them two points.” She noted Roma went to the Maradona without Svilar, Koné and Dybala, “three heavy starters”. Piero Torri (Manà Manà Sport) said Roma “did not steal anything”, and that the real error was Gollini's on Spinazzola's shot, where he “should have held it rather than parried it.” Daniele Lo Monaco (Radio Romanista) criticised Wesley's positioning on the cross and questioned the treatment of Malen's red card compared with Rafa Marín, while Roberto Pruzzo said Beukema had “thrown himself to the ground” and that Soulé had done what he does best. Nando Orsi argued that Soulé is left-footed and suits cutting inside, and that using both Soulé and Dybala could be a problem.

Roma face Cagliari tomorrow, the first of a run of fixtures that should be relatively manageable, at least in Serie A. Gasperini is expected to rotate the side as he did against Genoa, though not too heavily. Ghilardi and Balerdi are likely to have at least one of them in defence, while Wesley could rest on the flank. Lulli is ready to return at right-back, with Molina or the Brazilian on the left. The real question mark is in the number ten role, where Rodrigo Mora could get another opportunity. If that happens, Cristante would drop back into midfield, probably alongside Pisilli, to give de Roon a breather. Up front, Soulé and Malen are confirmed in the starting line-up, while Dybala is likely to start from the bench. The match comes straight after the crazy 1-1 draw at Napoli, so the focus now turns quickly back to the pitch. Gasperini's approach, as shown against Genoa, is to rest key players without overdoing it. The fixtures that follow are seen as relatively accessible, at least in the league, which gives the coach room to balance fitness and form across the squad. The main selection debate centres on the attacking midfield, where Mora's form will be tested. Cristante's possible switch to midfield would also reshape the engine room, offering de Roon some rest while keeping a settled shape around Pisilli.

AS Roma have extended the contract of young full-back Emanuele Lulli until 30 June 2031, the club confirmed in an official statement. The deal keeps one of the club's emerging players tied to the Giallorossi for five years, with the previous contract had been set to expire at the end of the season. Lulli has made his professional debut this season and scored his first goal for Roma in the match against Genoa. The club described the renewal as a decision strongly shared by both parties, following the winger's growth. He has become a regular part of Gian Piero Gasperini's rotation and has recently put pressure on the established starters on the right flank. The club's official statement read: "AS Roma is delighted to announce the extension of Emanuele Lulli's contract. The Giallorossi winger, who has made his professional debut this season, also finding the first goal of his Roma career in the match against Genoa, has signed a five-year agreement until 30 June 2031. Lulli and Roma continue to write their future together, in the spirit of continuity and belonging to the giallorossi colours. Congratulations, Emanuele!" The new deal is reportedly set to include a gradual increase in salary over the years. The starting base is reportedly around 300 thousand euros, with easily achievable bonuses to be added.

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday in midweek Serie A action, with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointing weekend results. Roma came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Maradona Stadium on Saturday, while Cagliari lost 2-0 at home to Bologna. Gian Piero Gasperini's side remain unbeaten in Serie A (W5, D3) and have avoided defeat in their first eight league matches of the season for the first time since 2013/14. However, a third draw in their last four league outings has left the Giallorossi four points behind joint leaders Inter and Lazio. Roma are vying for their first Scudetto since the beginning of the century and will be desperate to return to winning ways against a Cagliari side they have enjoyed plenty of success against at the Olimpico lately. Fabio Pisacane's team face a stern test. Cagliari have suffered nine defeats in their last 11 league visits to Rome (D2) and have not scored in any of their four away league meetings with Roma since 2022 (L4), including a 2-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last season. Bologna's win condemned Cagliari to back-to-back league defeats for the first time since April, and the Sardinians have slipped to mid-table after a promising five-game start (W4, L1). They are winless in three consecutive league games (D1, L2), following a 4-0 defeat at Monza on their last Serie A trip. Their defence has also struggled: after conceding just twice in the opening five rounds, they have let in seven goals in their last three league outings. Cagliari last beat Roma at the Olimpico in February 2013. Roma have been strong at home, winning three of their four home league matches in 2026/27 (D1) and scoring at least two goals on each occasion. They have lost only one of their last 11 home games in all competitions (W8, D2), the exception being a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid in this season's Champions League. The Giallorossi have won six of their last seven Tuesday Serie A fixtures (L1) and have netted two or more goals in eight consecutive home outings. That feat has been managed in three of their last five home clashes against Cagliari. Gasperini's attacking football has not come at the expense of defensive stability, as Roma have conceded just one first-half goal in Serie A this season and have opened the scoring in 63% of their league matches. Cagliari have been much more impressive away from home, with three wins from four league games on the road (L1), just one shy of the four road victories they recorded in the whole of the 2025/26 season. Maintaining that form would significantly boost their chances of a first top-half finish in Serie A since 2008/06. Bryan Cristante has returned from injury at a good time for Roma, giving the team a major midfield boost, as Gasperini cannot call upon Lorenzo Pellegrini or Manu Kone. First-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar is also sidelined, but Paulo Dybala could make the bench on Tuesday. For Cagliari, long-term absentees Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici remain out. Harry Winks had to come off early against Bologna and is unlikely to start, with veteran Roberto Gagliardini expected to take his place in midfield. Roma (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Balerdi, Ndicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, De Roon, Cristante, Molina; Mora, Soule; Malen. Cagliari (4-3-2-1): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Gagliardini, Romano; Fadera, Maldini; Mendy. Roma are the favourites, with the preview predicting a Roma win.

AS Roma have officially extended the contract of 19-year-old Emanuele Lulli until 30 June 2031. The club announced a five-year deal for the 2007-born player, one of the standout young talents of the season under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The renewal follows a start to the league campaign in which Lulli has earned an increasing share of minutes in Gasperini's rotation. He has also scored his first Serie A goal, against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico. Over the summer, the player appeared destined for a loan move to find regular football. Gasperini instead chose to keep him, recognising his potential and quickly turning him into a first-team option. The signing marks another step in the club's strategy of developing players from its youth academy. Roma's official statement read: "AS Roma is pleased to announce the extension of Emanuele Lulli's contract. The giallorosso wide player, who this season made his professional debut and also scored his first goal in the match against Genoa, has signed a five-year agreement until 30 June 2031. Lulli and Roma will continue to write their future together, in the spirit of continuity and belonging to the giallorosso colours. Congratulations, Emanuele!" The previous agreement was due to expire in June 2027. Reports suggest the new contract includes a progressively rising salary and bonuses linked to individual performances and team results. CEO Galantic recently named Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli as examples of the club's youth development path, and the renewal is seen as a signal of the club's commitment to its academy players for both the present and the future.

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday in midweek Serie A action, with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointing weekend results. Roma came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Napoli at the Maradona Stadium on Saturday, while Cagliari lost 2-0 at home to Bologna. Gian Piero Gasperini's side remain unbeaten in Serie A (W5, D3) and have avoided defeat in their first eight league matches of the season for the first time since 2013/14. However, a third draw in their last four league outings has left the Giallorossi four points behind joint leaders Inter and Lazio. Roma are vying for their first Scudetto since the beginning of the century and will be desperate to return to winning ways against a Cagliari side they have enjoyed plenty of success against at the Olimpico lately. Fabio Pisacane's team face a stern test. Cagliari have suffered nine defeats in their last 11 league visits to Rome (D2) and have not scored in any of their four away league meetings with Roma since 2022 (L4), including a 2-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last season. Bologna's win condemned Cagliari to back-to-back league defeats for the first time since April, and the Sardinians have slipped to mid-table after a promising five-game start (W4, L1). They are winless in three consecutive league games (D1, L2), following a 4-0 defeat at Monza on their last Serie A trip. Their defence has also struggled: after conceding just twice in the opening five rounds, they have let in seven goals in their last three league outings. Cagliari last beat Roma at the Olimpico in February 2013. Roma have been strong at home, winning three of their four home league matches in 2026/27 (D1) and scoring at least two goals on each occasion. They have lost only one of their last 11 home games in all competitions (W8, D2), the exception being a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid in this season's Champions League. The Giallorossi have won six of their last seven Tuesday Serie A fixtures (L1) and have netted two or more goals in eight consecutive home outings. That feat has been managed in three of their last five home clashes against Cagliari. Gasperini's attacking football has not come at the expense of defensive stability, as Roma have conceded just one first-half goal in Serie A this season and have opened the scoring in 63% of their league matches. Cagliari have been much more impressive away from home, with three wins from four league games on the road (L1), just one shy of the four road victories they recorded in the whole of the 2025/26 season. Maintaining that form would significantly boost their chances of a first top-half finish in Serie A since 2008/06. Bryan Cristante has returned from injury at a good time for Roma, giving the team a major midfield boost, as Gasperini cannot call upon Lorenzo Pellegrini or Manu Kone. First-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar is also sidelined, but Paulo Dybala could make the bench on Tuesday. For Cagliari, long-term absentees Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici remain out. Harry Winks had to come off early against Bologna and is unlikely to start, with veteran Roberto Gagliardini expected to take his place in midfield. Roma (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Balerdi, Ndicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, De Roon, Cristante, Molina; Mora, Soule; Malen. Cagliari (4-3-2-1): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Gagliardini, Romano; Fadera, Maldini; Mendy. Roma are the favourites, with the preview predicting a Roma win.

Roman radio pundits were divided after Roma's 3-3 draw at Napoli, with debate centring on the match, Gollini, Wesley and Gian Piero Gasperini's tactics. Gianluca Piacentini (Rete Sport) said: “A glass half full given how the match had gone, but there is regret at how it developed, and that 3-2 goal. Without it, I think Roma would have won.” He added: “Roma have lost points to their rivals, but you have already played Atalanta, Inter, Napoli and Como and not lost. There is a step forward. In my view Roma's 18 points are worth more than Milan's, and more than Lazio's 22.” Piacentini also criticised Allegri, saying: “He is ageing badly.” Fabio Petruzzi (Rete Sport) praised the spectacle, saying Roma “deserved at least the draw” after the 2-2 score, and that “nobody thought the match was over at 2-0.” He said Roma had “made that Premier-style step” and was “hard to beat, never gives up”, though he disliked the Napoli counter-attacks Roma allowed. Petruzzi praised Gollini's “great saves” and said he made no error on McTominay's third goal. David Rossi (Rete Sport) said: “Overall it was not one of the best Romas of the year, there were moments when it did not look like the usual Roma. But Napoli have a strong side, they finished second last year. It was enough for a Roma not at 100% to leave with a point from a difficult ground.” Mario Corsi (Tele Radio Stereo) said Gasperini had given players a motivation that Roma's players had lacked for years. “Gasperini is Roma at this moment,” he said, adding that when the coach wanted Balerdi and De Roon because “they are two captains”, it meant he wanted to give the side an identity. Paolo Cosenza said the match had been “a wasted opportunity” and that he had been convinced Roma would win from 2-2, adding that Gasperini was “immense” with his substitutions but had not convinced him with the starting line-up. Lorenzo Pes said Wesley had been “very much in the shade” and that it was “perhaps one of the worst performances in giallorosso”, adding: “On Gollini I have heard many things, but I think he played a sufficient match. For me he is a normal goalkeeper, perhaps a little less.” Valentina Catoni (Tele Radio Stereo) argued: “We met a Napoli that had been battered for two months and then suddenly recovered form. I don't understand the disappointment of those who say we gifted them two points.” She noted Roma went to the Maradona without Svilar, Koné and Dybala, “three heavy starters”. Piero Torri (Manà Manà Sport) said Roma “did not steal anything”, and that the real error was Gollini's on Spinazzola's shot, where he “should have held it rather than parried it.” Daniele Lo Monaco (Radio Romanista) criticised Wesley's positioning on the cross and questioned the treatment of Malen's red card compared with Rafa Marín, while Roberto Pruzzo said Beukema had “thrown himself to the ground” and that Soulé had done what he does best. Nando Orsi argued that Soulé is left-footed and suits cutting inside, and that using both Soulé and Dybala could be a problem.

Roma face Cagliari tomorrow, the first of a run of fixtures that should be relatively manageable, at least in Serie A. Gasperini is expected to rotate the side as he did against Genoa, though not too heavily. Ghilardi and Balerdi are likely to have at least one of them in defence, while Wesley could rest on the flank. Lulli is ready to return at right-back, with Molina or the Brazilian on the left. The real question mark is in the number ten role, where Rodrigo Mora could get another opportunity. If that happens, Cristante would drop back into midfield, probably alongside Pisilli, to give de Roon a breather. Up front, Soulé and Malen are confirmed in the starting line-up, while Dybala is likely to start from the bench. The match comes straight after the crazy 1-1 draw at Napoli, so the focus now turns quickly back to the pitch. Gasperini's approach, as shown against Genoa, is to rest key players without overdoing it. The fixtures that follow are seen as relatively accessible, at least in the league, which gives the coach room to balance fitness and form across the squad. The main selection debate centres on the attacking midfield, where Mora's form will be tested. Cristante's possible switch to midfield would also reshape the engine room, offering de Roon some rest while keeping a settled shape around Pisilli.