Attacking crisis in Roma ahead of Cagliari game

Roma have lost only one of their last 20 matches against Cagliari, and that happened four and a half years ago in Sardinia. Aside from that result, the record shows 14 wins for the Giallorossi and five draws. Still, Roma are the only Serie A club against whom the Sardinians have scored more than 100 goals. Cagliari have been seriously unlucky. Based on their performances, the Sardinian side did not deserve to lose to Juventus in Serie A, nor to be eliminated by Napoli in the Coppa Italia. The team led by Serie A debutant coach Pisacane has reaped far less than it has sown. Against Roma, Folorunsho and Palestra return to the starting lineup, along with Sebastiano Esposito, the home side’s most talented players.

Roma have the advantage over Cagliari because they were able to use the entire week to prepare for the match in the Sardinian capital. Paulo Dybala had a cold during the week, so he will likely start the match on the bench. However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s problem lies with the wide midfielders. Both starters from the beginning of the season are injured—Wesley on one side and Angelino on the other. The absence of Dovbyk, given his recent output, will not be felt too much.

Decision on Dybala is coming up shortly

Cagliari are in a deep results crisis, as they have not won since the second half of September. Since then, they have recorded four draws and five defeats—a run of form that leads straight to Serie B. Roma must overcome their loss to Napoli, as well as the syndrome of failing to beat the so-called big clubs. Cagliari do not fall into that category, and to find the last time Roma lost two consecutive Serie A matches, we would have to go back a full year.

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Faced with Dovbyk’s injury, Ferguson’s poor form, and Dybala’s health issues, Gasperini is considering deploying Baldanzi once again in the role of a false nine. On the right flank, Celik is a certain starter, while Rensch and Tsimikas are battling for the left-back position. Roma have the best defense in Serie A, but they will face a tough test this afternoon, as Cagliari’s attacking trio—Palestra, Borrelli, and Esposito—are all in rising form.

SERIE A ROUND 14

Saturday

Sassuolo - Fiorentina 3-1 (2-1)

/Volpato 14, Muharemovic 45+1, Kone 65 - Mandragora 9 pen/

Inter - Como 4-0 (1-0)

/Martinez 11, Thuram 59, Calhanoglu 80, Augusto 86/

Verona - Atalanta 3-1 (2-0)

/Belghali 28, Giovane 36, Bernede 71 - Scamacca 81 pen/

Sunday

14.30: (2.45) Cremonese (3.00) Lecce (3.30)

17.00: (5.60) Cagliari (3.60) Roma (1.75)

20.00: (2.65) Lazio (3.05) Bologna (3.05)

22.45: (2.40) Napoli (3.05) Juventus (3.55)

Monday

17.00: (2.45) Pisa (3.00) Parma (3.30)

20.00: (2.45) Udinese (3.00) Genoa (3.30)

22.45: (4.40) Torino (3.50) Milan (1.85)

***odds are subject to change***