Serie A official Week 24 line-ups: Roma vs. Cagliari
Roma start Donyell Malen, Matias Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini against Semih Kilicsoy’s on-form Cagliari, as a victory would put them in joint fourth spot.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
The injury crisis drags on for the Giallorossi, even after they had the rare treat of a whole week to prepare for this match.
Form has been stuttering of late, managing only draws with Milan and Panathinaikos, then defeated 1-0 at Udinese last Monday.
Paulo Dybala, Robinio Vaz and Mario Hermoso were added to the injury list, which already included Artem Dovbyk, Manu Koné, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy.
Gianluca Mancini had surgery for a broken nose and therefore has to play with a protective mask.
Gian Piero Gasperini was tempted to launch deadline day signing Bryan Zaragoza directly into the starting XI with fellow January buy Malen, backed by Soulé, but instead opts for Pellegrini.
As Juventus were held 2-2 by Lazio last night, it means a win here would put Roma back in joint fourth place.
Cagliari are on sparkling form after three consecutive Serie A victories against Juventus, Fiorentina and Verona, which saw them climb to mid-table comfort.
They also remember beating Roma 1-0 in Sardinia back on December 7 after Zeki Celik was sent off.
Coach Fabio Pisacane is missing some big players too, as Yerry Mina, Alessandro Deiola, Michael Folorunsho, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti are out of action.
Turkish talent Semih Kilicsoy is flourishing, with Sebastiano Esposito and Atalanta-owned Marco Palestra.
Alberto Dossena was added to the squad on deadline day from Como.
Roma vs. Cagliari line-ups
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen
Cagliari: Caprile; Ze Pedro, Dossena, Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Gaetano, Mazzitelli; Palestra, Kilicsoy, Esposito
Player statistic
| 5' | Alberto Dossena | |||
| Donyell Malen (Assist: Gianluca Mancini) |
25' | |||
| 40' | Marco Palestra |
| Gianluca Mancini | 58' | |||
| 61' | Gianluca Gaetano | |||
| Donyell Malen (Assist: Zeki Celik) |
65' | |||
| Bryan Zaragoza | 82' |