Overview
After winning 2 consecutive victories in the middle of last month, Roma stagnated with 2 draws and one defeat.
In that context, 2 draws against AC Milan and Panathinaikos - in which the draw with Panathinaikos took place away from home when there were only 10 players left but still enough for them to keep the top 8 spot in the UEFA Europa League - are commendable results. However, Gian Piero Gasperini's team played lackluster against Udinese and lost 0-1 after conceding a goal from a changed direction free kick.
However, Roma still won 14/23 matches in Serie A this season - the best record in this period since 2017 (the season they finished second). Giallorossi's goal at this time is to break into the top 4 to return to the UEFA Champions League, but Juventus, Como and Atalanta are all closely following.
Therefore, they are not allowed to stumble at the Stadio Olimpico stadium against Cagliari - an opponent that Roma has won clean sheets in all three recent receptions.
In the opposite direction, Cagliari aims to beat Roma in both legs of the national championship for the second time in history, after winning the first leg 1-0 in early December. That victory opened up a spiritual boost, leading to a clear resurgence.
Currently in the middle group, Cagliari has won 3 consecutive matches - equal to their winning matches in the previous 17 matches. After defeating Juventus, they continued to beat Fiorentina right in Florence, and then crushed Hellas Verona 4-0 in the most recent round. If they continue to sing triumphantly in Rome, they will have a 4-match winning streak in Serie A for the first time since October 2012.
Despite the results in the capital, coach Fabio Pisacane is still showing positive signs, as Cagliari has achieved the best points in this stage of the season in the past 6 years.
Personnel situation
Roma's absence list is still quite heavy, as they lack key player Manu Kone and creative midfielder Paulo Dybala - who often has injury problems. Stephan El Shaarawy is also likely not to be on time.
Although Evan Ferguson may return to the bench and new signing Bryan Zaragoza is about to debut, Roma still does not have two more options in attack: Artem Dovbyk and Robino Vaz.
Therefore, Donyell Malen is likely to continue to play highest in the attack, after being praised by Gian Piero Gasperini. Since moving from Aston Villa last month, Malen is the player with the second most shots in Serie A, although he has only scored 1 goal.
On the other side, Cagliari will lack the trio Michael Folorunsho, Andrea Belotti and Mattia Felici due to injury, but coach Fabio Pisacane generally still has a strong enough force to rotate.
In attack, striker Semih Kilicsoy (loaned from Besiktas) is likely to continue to compete fiercely with Gennaro Borrelli for a starting spot, while Sebastiano Esposito plays a supporting role behind.
Expected lineup:
Svilar, Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi, Celik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Wesley, Soule, Pellegrini, Malen.
Caprile, Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez, Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Mazzitelli, Obert, Esposito, Kilicsoy.
The match between Roma and Cagliari takes place at 2:45 am on February 10 (Vietnam time).
