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Mora heads Roma back into the game as Malen completes comeback against Cagliari
·28 October 2026·2h ago

Mora heads Roma back into the game as Malen completes comeback against Cagliari

Source: Forza Roma

Mora scored a header to turn the match Roma's way, and Malen then struck the 4-2 that completed a comeback against Cagliari. The 168cm midfielder rose at the back post to head home from a cross by Ghilardi, a late twist in a game that had seemed to be slipping away from Roma. Gasperini smiled despite a second half that was played poorly, with many individual and collective errors, Roma having conceded more than they should and created less than usual.

Roma had been staring at a dangerous slide, having conceded five goals in their last two matches, a worrying return for a side that looked young but tired. The comeback recalled the way Inter have fought back this season, and the response was built on the same spirit that had carried Roma through the difficult spell. Cagliari had the edge in the closing stages, with the final shot count standing at 9 to 8 in their favour, and Roma had struggled to get forward with any real purpose.

According to Alessandro Angeloni writing in Il Messaggero, Malen had initially been smothered by Mina and could not inspire a response on his own. Gollini, in the style of Svilar, made a save on Mendy shortly before Maldini sealed the game for Cagliari, a blow that woke Roma up for a second time. Mora then rose to head in from Ghilardi's delivery, recalling Balerdi's goal at Napoli with Wesley's cross from the right. Malen completed the turnaround at 4-2 after collecting a pass from the small Portuguese midfielder. Gasperini was once again praised for going beyond the difficulties and the mistakes, with his final decisions making the difference. Mission accomplished, though with plenty of anxiety along the way.

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Story Coverage13 sources on this story

Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in their ninth Serie A match of the season, with Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen on the scoresheet. Cagliari took the lead from a Nzola penalty, awarded after a VAR check judged that Pisilli's arm was away from his body. Lulli headed the equaliser and Pisilli put Roma ahead, before Daniel Maldini levelled at 2-2 on 81 minutes. Mora then headed the winner, and Malen added the fourth.

Lulli was the standout performer, rated 7.5 by most papers, and Gollini earned 7 for his goalkeeping. Mancini drew the most criticism. Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera gave him 4.5, La Gazzetta dello Sport 5.5 and Corriere dello Sport 6, while GialloRossi.net rated him 5, the lowest mark in the Roma side. Mora's ratings were generally strong, though outlets differ on when he entered: Forza Roma says he replaced de Roon at half-time, while GialloRossi.net and Roma News put the change in the 56th minute.

Forza Roma notes that seven Under-24 players featured and that the win was Roma's sixth league victory of the season, extending their unbeaten Serie A run to 16 matches. Il Messaggero says the result leaves Roma within four points of Lazio, while Forza Roma describes them as keeping pace with the leaders. GialloRossi.net was far less enthusiastic, calling it one of the least convincing performances of the season and arguing that Roma's fatigue was masked by the final score.

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

Testo Originale / Source Text

“Segna Mora, toccando il cielo con i suoi centosessantotto centimetri d'amore. Un colpo di testa, lui così piccolino, fa passare la paura a una Roma giovane ma stanca, proprio mentre la partita sembrava aver preso la via del burrone. Gasperini sorride dopo un secondo tempo giocato maluccio, con…”

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

Read original on Forza Roma →

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Roma beat Cagliari 4-2 as Lulli shines and Malen and Mora get on the scoresheet
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1h ago

Roma beat Cagliari 4-2 as Lulli shines and Malen and Mora get on the scoresheet

Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico, with goals from Lulli, Pisilli, Mora and Malen. Italian newspapers have handed out their player ratings for a side that was patched up for the match, and the Giallorossi showed plenty of youthful boldness along the way. Emanuele Lulli was the standout performer, rated 7.5 by most of the papers, while Gollini earned 7 across the board for his goalkeeping. Pisilli and Mora both found the net, and Mora came off the bench to earn strong marks in midfield. Malen also scored after replacing Castro and was rated 6.5 to 7 by the papers. Soulé was another bright spark, rated 6.5 to 7 in the attack. Gian Piero Gasperini was rated between 6 and 7 for his side's performance. Mancini was the disappointment in defence, with ratings ranging from 4.5 to 6, and Ghilardi came on to earn a 7 from some of the newspapers. Wesley replaced Molina at half-time, with his marks ranging from 5.5 to 6. Rensch was given a 5 or 6 after coming on for Lulli. Castro had a quiet afternoon and was rated between 5 and 6 before being replaced by Malen. The ratings reflect a match in which Roma's depleted squad showed resilience and attacking spirit, with the goals coming from both established players and those who came off the bench.

Roma beat Cagliari: Lulli takes the spotlight in the newspaper ratings, Mora impresses, Mancini disappoints
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1h ago

Roma beat Cagliari: Lulli takes the spotlight in the newspaper ratings, Mora impresses, Mancini disappoints

Roma secured three points against Cagliari, winning despite struggling at times, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side can look ahead with confidence. Italian newspapers' player ratings singled out Lulli as the best performer on the pitch, with Pisilli and Mora also praised, while Mancini drew criticism for a disappointing display. The papers described a young Roma side that was strong and winning, if less fluent than usual. The ratings from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Il Tempo, Corriere della Sera and Leggo all gave Lulli a 7.5, the highest mark in the team across the outlets. Lulli started at left centre-back in the back three, while Mora came on for de Roon and was rated 7 or higher by every paper, earning 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera. Soulé also drew strong marks, rated 7 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero. Gollini was rated 7 or 7.5 across the board, and Ghilardi, who replaced Mancini, earned 7 from Corriere dello Sport and Corriere della Sera. Mancini was the most criticised Roma player, receiving 5.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport, 6 from Corriere dello Sport, 4.5 from Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera, and 5 from Il Tempo and Leggo. Rensch, who came on for Lulli, was marked between 5 and 6. Wesley replaced Molina at the break and was rated between 5.5 and 6.5. Malen, who replaced Castro, earned 6.5 or 7 from every outlet. Gasperini received a 7 from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Leggo, a 6.5 from Corriere dello Sport and Il Tempo, and a 6 from Corriere della Sera.

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Paulo Dybala's return from a calf injury has been put back, and Gian Piero Gasperini is now aiming to have him available for the Sassuolo match on 7 November, the Giallorossi's last fixture before the international break. Il Messaggero reports that Roma came back from behind in their latest match with goals from Balerdi, Mora and Malen, while Ghilardi, in a surprise contribution, set up the perfect assist for the Portuguese forward. The result extends Roma's unbeaten run, which Gasperini described as following the same approach Napoli had taken. Dybala's condition is the main concern for the coach. He seemed close to a call-up on Monday, but he was not among the squad named for the game and will also miss the matches against Udinese and Manchester United. Gasperini is also worried about the fitness of Koné, and the club hopes to have Svilar back for the Champions League match due next week. Gasperini said: "I was confident after training on Sunday. Paulo takes some time to recover from injuries. We thought it would take less, but that has not been the case. For him and Koné we are aiming for Sassuolo, but I don't know if it will be possible." Dybala will undergo a decisive scan in Belgium tomorrow, after which he will return to Rome.

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