Roma came from behind to beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in their ninth Serie A match of the season, with Lulli, Pisilli, Mora and Malen on the scoresheet. The result was made to look harder than it was by a performance that Giallorossi.net's player ratings describe as one of the least convincing of the season.
Gollini, standing in for the injured Svilar, was named the best Roma player despite conceding twice, rated 7.5 for a string of saves, including a decisive stop on Adopo in the first half and another in the second half, mainly against Mendy. Mancini was given a 5, the lowest mark in the Roma side, after being repeatedly troubled by Fadera's acceleration. Ndicka (6) struggled against Nzola and Mendy, while Koulierakis (6) was solid without standing out.
Lulli was the standout of the first half, rated 7.5. He headed in the equaliser and then supplied the pass that set up Pisilli for the go-ahead goal. Pisilli (6) was a mix of error and reward: his handball gave Cagliari a penalty, before he struck a powerful right-foot shot past Caprile to put Roma back in front. The match had been levelled by Obert, who beat Rensch in the move that brought the equaliser, after Rensch (5.5) came on in the 76th minute. De Roon (5.5) had a quiet game and was replaced by Rodrigo Mora in the 56th minute.
Mora's introduction changed the match. He was rated 7 after starting on the right, a position that appeared to limit him, before Gasperini moved him to the left. He first scored with a towering header, then played the ball to Malen for the 4-2. Malen, who had wasted a clear chance set up by Mora, came on in the 56th minute and was rated 7 after firing a second right-foot effort past Caprile to seal the win. Molina (6.5) had a good first half, providing the right-foot cross for Lulli's goal, and Wesley (6) was rated 6 after coming on at half-time. Soulé (6) faded after a bright start, and Cristante (5.5) and Castro (5) both had poor games. Ghilardi (7) came on in the 83rd minute and delivered the cross for Mora's winner.
Gasperini was rated 6.5. The article says Roma suffered against a strong Cagliari side and often looked close to conceding, but the coach's substitutions turned the game. Its concern was his decision to start Mora on the right and Soulé on the left, which Gasperini reversed at the break, after which Mora changed the match. The reviewer concluded: "Non sarà stata una bella Roma, ma proprio per questo i tre punti valgono ancora di più."
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
“La Roma batte faticando il Cagliari per 4 a 2 grazie alle reti di Lulli, Pisilli, Mora e Malen. Queste le pagelle assegnate dalla nostra redazione ai giocatori giallorossi scesi in campo questa sera allo Stadio Olimpico contro il Cagliari nel match valido per la nona giornata di campionato:
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Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.