Roma-Cagliari 4-0, goal from Pellegrini, brace from Dybala, Huijsen

Not this time, this time everything is different. Because if two victories were achieved with Verona and Salernitana that were not supported by the game, against Cagliari Roma were even sparkling at times. It ends 4-0, but the final tally could be even larger, considering the two goals disallowed by Lukaku and Bove and the post by Cristante. Bringing Roma only -1 from fourth place Atalanta are Dybala (double and sumptuous performance), Pellegrini (reborn) and the young Huijsen. But above all it is Daniele De Rossi, whose hand this time we are starting to see in the Giallorossi’s game mechanisms.

game and goals

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De Rossi immediately sends in Angelino, one of the two new arrivals in the Giallorossi home, but Ranieri also immediately throws Mina into the fray and the double striker is played, Lapadula alongside Petagna. We start by remembering a legend like Giacomo Losi (455 matches for the Giallorossi), among images on the giant screens, a minute of contemplation and mourning on the arm for Roma. Then the match, with Pellegrini scoring immediately, after just 2′ of play, from Dybala’s corner. It’s the goal that changes the game, also because compared to Verona and Salernitana this time Roma play well. Angelino has quality and vision of the game, Pellegrini is everywhere and Dybala is a collection of beautiful things. And so the opportunities arrive, from Cristante’s post to El Shaarawy’s two starts, up to Joya’s 2-0, at the end of a textbook football action. And Cagliari? The cold goal changes Ranieri’s plans, but Prati never manages to build something interesting and Petagna is too soft up front. So the opportunities are still yellow and red, with Dybala’s curling shot going just wide and Lukaku’s 3-0 canceled out for offside. At the end of the half, however, a shock from the Sardinians, with Rui Patricio forced to say no to Lapadula and Marcenaro who first conceded the penalty for a foul by Llorente on Lapadula himself then corrected himself with the help of the VAR.

absolute dominion

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The second half opens with the Giallorossi 3-0 which effectively closes the match: Dybala’s corner, Cristante’s head, Petagna’s hands and a penalty converted by Joya, who confirms herself to be infallible from the spot. The match is over, Cagliari is on its knees, Dybala and Lukaku come close to scoring again, which then arrives shortly after with Huijsen, perfect in the clearance from Paredes’ corner. Then there is the whirlwind of changes, on one side and the other, with Ranieri trying to change something with the 3-4-1-2. Luvumbo puts in a little more energy, but it’s Zalewski at the other end who provides a couple of quality ideas. Then Scuffet says no to Lukaku. Before the end, Bove also made it 5-0 following a sumptuous play by Karsdorp, but the Giallorossi midfielder was offside. It ends as it began, with the embrace between De Rossi and Ranieri, two totems of Romanism.