Roma will be eager to bounce back from their Europa League disappointment when they face Cagliari at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. Despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in midweek, Claudio Ranieri’s side remain unbeaten in their last 12 Serie A matches, winning nine of them. With their sights set on securing a top-four finish, the Giallorossi are determined to maintain their winning momentum.
The hosts have been in exceptional form in Serie A, winning five consecutive matches, including a 2-1 triumph over Empoli last weekend. Key players like Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matias Soule have played pivotal roles in Roma’s resurgence, with Soule contributing both goals and assists in recent games. Roma’s defensive solidity and attacking creativity have been key to their recent success.
Claudio Ranieri is expected to make changes to the starting lineup after the midweek defeat. Mats Hummels, who received a red card against Athletic Bilbao, is likely to be dropped. This opens the door for Evan Ndicka to partner Gianluca Mancini in defense. Meanwhile, Pellegrini will look to orchestrate play from midfield, while Soule and Eldor Shomurodov lead the attacking line.
Cagliari, on the other hand, are battling to avoid relegation and currently sit four points above the drop zone. Under Davide Nicola’s guidance, the Sardinians have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, securing a crucial point against Genoa last weekend. However, their record against top-half teams has been poor, with no wins from 15 matches this season.
Cagliari will be without key forwards Zito Luvumbo and Florinel Coman due to injury, while right-back Gabriele Zappa remains doubtful. Roberto Piccoli, who scored against Bologna, is expected to lead the attack, supported by Nicolas Viola. The visitors will rely on their defensive organization and physicality to frustrate Roma’s attacking threats.
However, Cagliari’s resilience under Nicola should not be underestimated. Known for his ability to inspire struggling teams, Nicola will aim to keep things compact and hit Roma on the counterattack. Yet, with Roma’s defensive stability and attacking firepower, the visitors will struggle to pose a serious threat.
Roma’s dominance over Cagliari in recent years further strengthens their position as favorites. The Giallorossi have won seven of their last nine home meetings against Cagliari, keeping clean sheets in most of those encounters. With the likes of Soule and Pellegrini in top form, Roma’s attack will be difficult for Cagliari’s defense to contain.
With a sixth consecutive Serie A win in sight, Roma are expected to dominate proceedings and secure another vital three points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. A comfortable 2-0 victory for the Giallorossi seems the most likely outcome.