Roma registered their first win of 2022 by defeating Cagliari 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico today. A first-half penalty from loan signing Sergio Oliveira was enough to salvage three points for Jose Mourinho’s side.
The Giallorossi were on the front foot from the start of the match and kept putting pressure on the visitors’ backline. They eventually won a penalty following a handball from Dalbert. Up stepped Oliveira and he converted it.
Roma had a few moments to extend their lead but were unable to do so. Cagliari had a golden chance to level towards the final minutes of the match but Joao Pedro’s shot was tipped on to the crossbar by Rui Patricio.
Roma’s win sees them sixth in the Serie A table while Cagliari are now 18th.
Starting XIs: Both Teams Make Four Changes
Mourinho made four changes to the Roma XI that lost to Juventus with Gianluca Mancini and Marash Kumbulla replacing Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez in central defense. Oliveira was making his debut for Roma and replaced Bryan Cristante in the starting XI while Nicolo Zaniolo started instead of skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Cagliari also made four changes with Edoardo Goldaniga starting ahead of Matteo Lovato at the back. Gabriele Zappa and Dalbert were the wingbacks, replacing Raoul Bellanova and Charalampos Lykogiannis respectively. Gaston Pereiro was in the lineup, replacing Alberto Grassi.
Oliveira Penalty Puts Roma Ahead
Roma were keen on attacking from the very first kick of the game and received an early penalty after a foul on Zaniolo. However, the decision was overturned after a VAR check. The Giallorossi continued to attack and Tammy Abraham came close, only for his header to be blocked by Altare and then gathered by goalie Alessio Cragno.
Roma continued to put pressure on the Cagliari defense and were rewarded with a penalty courtesy of a Dalbert handbal. Up stepped Oliveira and his spot-kick beat Cragno, thus netting his first for the hosts.
Roma looked very much in control of the game and tried to extend their lead but were unable to do so during the remainder of the first half.
Roma Hold On to Their Lead to Win
Cagliari were keen on finding an equalizer and won a free-kick early in the second half but could not make the most out of it. Roma had a scoring opportunity when Felix Afena-Gyan set one up for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. However, the Armenian missed the delivery.
The Giallorossi had another opportunity through Jordan Veretout but Cragno made a save to deny him. Afena-Gyan was forced to leave the field due to an injury and was replaced by Eldor Shomurodov. Abraham then tried to double Roma’s lead by taking a backheel at goal, oly for it to be blocked by Goldaniga.
Minutes later, Cagliari came tantalisingly close to an equalizer as substitue Nandez’s cross found Joao Pedro but his header was pushed to the bar by Rui Patricio. Roma eventually held on to their lead to seal three crucial points.
What’s Next for Roma and Cagliari
Next up for Roma is their Coppa Italia last 16 clash against Serie B side Lecce on Thursday while Cagliari have theirs against Sassuolo on Wednesday.
MATCH SCORECARD
January 16, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 22
ROMA – CAGLIARI 1-0
SCORERS: 33′ Oliveira pen.
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ROMA (4-2-3-1): Rui Patricio; Maitland-Niles (95′ Keramitsis), Mancini, Kumbulla, Vina; Veretout (94′ Bove), Oliveira; Zaniolo (86′ Karsdorp), Mkhitaryan, Afena-Gyan (75′ Shomurodov); Abraham (Boer, Fuzato, Oliveras, Volpato, Carles Perez, Zalewski) Coach: Mourinho |
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CAGLIARI (3-5-2): Cragno; Altare (88′ Gagliano), Goldaniga, Carboni; Zappa, Marin, Pereiro (69′ Nandez), Deiola, Dalbert (70′ Lykogiannis); Joao Pedro, Pavoletti (Lolic, Radunovic, Iovu, Obert, Cavuoti, Ladinetti, Desogus) Coach: Mazzarri |
REFEREE: Mr. Maggioni from Lecco
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Oliveira (R), Pavoletti (C), Carboni (C), Dalbert (C), Mancini (R), Afena-Gyan (R), Altare (C); Added Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 4′