Roma came from behind twice before late goals from Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Cagliari in Serie A.
The Giallorossi had taken only one win from their previous four league matches during an injury crisis, drawing against Scudetto rivals Inter, Como and Napoli. Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar, Manu Kone and Lorenzo Pellegrini remained unavailable, while the team was rotated following the 3-3 draw at the Stadio Maradona.
Cagliari arrived in poor form after a 1-1 draw with Juventus was followed by consecutive defeats by Monza and Bologna. Harry Winks joined Mattia Felici and Riyad Idrissi on the injured list as Cagliari switched to a 3-5-2 formation. Yael Trepy was named among the substitutes for the first time since nearly drowning in a swimming pool on August 17.
Roma threatened after five minutes when Gianluca Mancini’s angled effort forced Elia Caprile to save with his foot at the near post. Cagliari responded immediately, with Konstantinos Koulierakis blocking M’Bala Nzola’s close-range attempt.
The resulting corner brought the opening goal. Ze Pedro’s diving header struck Niccolo Pisilli’s hand from close range and, after a VAR review, Cagliari were awarded a penalty. Nzola sent Pierluigi Gollini the wrong way from the spot.
Roma levelled when Nahuel Molina delivered a cross to the far post, where Emanuele Lulli headed in from six yards, catching Adam Obert by surprise.
The home side almost moved ahead when Santiago Castro failed to direct Lulli’s cross on target. The warning was followed by a second cross from Lulli, this time converted by his fellow Roma youth academy graduate Pisilli.
Matias Soule then saw an in-swinging set piece clawed off the line by Caprile. At the other end, Gollini produced an outstanding one-handed save to deny Michel Adopo, while Nzola’s follow-up was deflected wide.
Cagliari continued to create chances. Nzola missed from a promising position, Alessandro Deiola’s powerful strike was tipped over and Gollini stopped Alieu Fadera at the near post. Juan Rodriguez also tested the goalkeeper, who pushed the effort over the bar.
Gollini denied Paul Mendy after Daniel Maldini had played him through, but Cagliari’s equaliser followed moments later. Obert held off Devyne Rensch and sent a precise pass into Maldini’s path, allowing him to beat Gollini from a tight angle.
Roma regained control late on. Daniele Ghilardi delivered from the right and Rodrigo Mora, the shortest player on the pitch, arrived at the far post to head in.
Mora then combined with Malen in a swift give-and-go, with Malen’s finish squeezing beneath Caprile to establish a two-goal lead.
Trepy made his return after nearly drowning on August 17 and spending time in intensive care. He immediately forced another difficult save from Gollini after a powerful solo run.
