Roma will be without a few starters in Sunday’s match versus Cagliari. Roger Ibanez and Bryan Cristante, who has occasionally featured in the back, are suspended. Rick Karsdorp and Chris Smalling did not practice yesterday, Il Tempo reports.
Nicolò Zaniolo resumed training yesterday after missing the Juventus clash. The Giallorossi announced two new COVID-19 cases since Monday without disclosing their identity. They did not add that the player in question had completed the vaccination cycle in the most recent instance, differently from previous communications. Smalling had been rumored to be in such situation. Although, previous reports from England suggested that had changed his mind.
Roma will have to field an unusual defense against Cagliari with most starters on the shelf. Gianluca Mancini will pair up with Marash Kumbulla. Ainsley Maitland-Niles will again substitute Karsdorp. After deploying 3-5-2 for multiple matches, José Mourinho went back to 4-2-3-1 against the Bianconeri. That should be the case Sunday as well. The only alternative would be to adapt Matias Vina to left center-back. However, Stephan El Shaarawy, who would have to man the flank in that scenario, is not in tip-top shape either. He sat out the previous match due to thigh muscle fatigue.
Roma officially announced the arrival of Sergio Oliveira yesterday, and he could start against Cagliari right away. They confirmed the formula but did not reveal the final numbers. According to Calciomercato.com, the Giallorossi will spend €1M for the loan and eventually €13M for the option to buy. He will earn €2.5M per year.