Gasperini: ‘A precious Roma win, youth players have talent’

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 27: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, looks on before the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on October 27, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini feels the difficulties caused by Cagliari made the 4-2 Roma win ‘more precious’ and is glad to see two goals from youth academy products.

The Giallorossi were made to work very hard for the three points this evening, against a Cagliari side that had lost its last two Serie A matches.

Niccolò Pisilli’s handling offence prompted an early M’Bala Nzola penalty, only for Emanuele Lulli and Pisilli to turn it around within 12 minutes.

Pierluigi Gollini kept his men in front until the Daniel Maldini equaliser, but substitutes Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen secured the 4-2 victory late on.

Gasperini relishing Roma victory

“Undoubtedly, we had a few difficulties today,” Gasperini confessed to DAZN Italia.

“They were fresher in attack and created problems for us. We are also using the same elements in midfield for every game and the fatigue is starting to show. That makes our victory even more precious, because everyone was involved.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Roma 4-2 Cagliari

Daniele Ghilardi came off the bench and provided the cross for the Rodrigo Mora header.

“Ghilardi had some very good performances recently, he probably should’ve come on earlier today, but it was a tough change to make. He has improved so much compared to last season and will get more space.”

Roma have to rotate the squad in order to deal with their packed fixture list, especially now that they are in the Champions League after a seven-year absence.

There are also injuries to Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini to limit the alternatives, but despite that, Rodrigo Mora still can’t seem to get into the starting XI.

“It’s not easy to play so many games without Dybala and Kone, so we can make mistakes, but winning against a difficult side like Cagliari is something to be proud of.”

The injury to Mile Svilar was the most unexpected and serious, but Gollini really has stepped up to the plate.

“He didn’t play 112 games at the top level by accident. I worked with him at Atalanta when he was still a kid, more exuberant and less eager to work hard. We met again here at Roma, but I never had doubts over his qualities.”

Roma created the first two goals within their youth academy, as Lulli and Pisilli are both products of the club’s system.

“They are extraordinary lads. In the Roma youth team there are always players who love the club so much and that gives them the dream of making their debut here,” concluded Gasperini.

“They are still very young and certainly have talent. Lulli scored with a header today, he was training on that yesterday, because it is not his greatest strength.”

Despite being the shortest player on the pitch, Mora also scored with a header.

“I’ve seen him do it before. He’s small, but well co-ordinated.”