Roma beat Cagliari 4-2 at the Olimpico with late goals from Mora and Malen

Penalty and reply

Roma beat Cagliari 4-2 on Tuesday, 27 October, at the Olimpico in the ninth round of Serie A, with the winning goals arriving in the final minutes. Cagliari led first from a penalty, awarded only after a VAR review of a handball by Pisilli in the Roma area. Referee Feliciani had initially missed the contact before the review sent him to the monitor. Nzola converted the spot kick early in the first half, and Gasperini protested the decision from the touchline.

Roma responded within minutes. Molina crossed from the left and Lulli headed in the equaliser in the 15th minute, his second goal in three games for the young winger. Six minutes later Pisilli finished after a pass from Lulli to put Roma 2-1 ahead in the 21st minute. Cagliari kept counter-attacking, and Gollini made saves as Roma held their lead through to half-time.

Substitutions and the late turn

Gasperini made changes early in the second half, sending on Mora and Malen from the bench in the 56th minute and taking off De Roon and Castro. Pisacane replied with his own substitutions, bringing on Mendy and then Daniel Maldini, who had both begun the match outside the starting lineup. Maldini levelled at 2-2 late in the second half, putting the match back in the balance. Roma's response came within a few minutes, as Rodrigo Mora headed in between the 85th and 87th minutes and Malen, who had gone several weeks without a goal, added the final goal of the 4-2 result. Gasperini was without Paulo Dybala, who is sidelined with a lesion to his right calf, and two other injured players.

Table and rivals

Roma's win lifts them to 21 points, third in Serie A, four behind leaders Lazio on 25 and one behind Inter on 22. Lazio beat Sassuolo 6-2 in a separate match, according to Fanpage. Cagliari stayed on 13 points after their third consecutive defeat, having kept the match open until the final minutes. Torino also remain on 13 points after a 3-1 defeat to Como, who climb to 20 points, with Torino's opener coming in the first half and Como scoring in the second. Il Giornale noted that the Cagliari side coached by Pisacane still showed talent, structure and mentality despite the loss.

Lazio25

Inter22

Roma21

Como20

Torino13

Cagliari13

Lazio

25 points

Inter

22 points

Roma

21 points

Como

20 points

Torino

13 points

Cagliari

13 points

Data from the article text

Fixtures ahead

Roma's next stretch is busy. La Stampa reports two away trips, to Udine and Manchester, before a home match against Sassuolo that closes the first run of fixtures this season. Fanpage notes Roma sit one point behind Inter, who are due to play at Venice on Wednesday. Gasperini had rested Malen, Wesley and Hermoso for the opening half, a light rotation that Fanpage described as a turnover. The Olimpico was sold out for the match, which made the comeback even more pressing for the home side.