Roma 2-0 Cagliari Player Ratings: Donyell Malen Scores Brace to Inspire A Commanding Win | Serie A

Roma recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over Cagliari in their Serie A match. The home side controlled the game from the start and remained in the driver's seat for most of the time. Now, let's take a look at AS Roma vs Cagliari player ratings from the Italian clash.

Donyell Malen was the key player. He scored the opening goal in the 25th minute with a well-taken finish. Roma continued to dominate possession and create chances. Malen struck again in the 65th minute to secure the win.

Roma showed smooth and effective attacking play throughout the match. They could have scored more goals. Cagliari struggled in attack and created few opportunities. Their best chance came late in the game when a shot hit the crossbar. It was a deserved result for Roma, who were clearly the stronger team on the day.

Key Takeaways

1. Donyell Malen scored the opening goal in the 25th minute, giving Roma the lead.
2. Malen added his second goal in the 65th minute to seal the victory.
3. Cagliari hit the crossbar late in the match with their best chance.

Roma Player Ratings vs Cagliari

Check out Roma player ratings from the match against Cagliari:

Goalkeeper

Mile Svilar - 6.5: Had one of the quietest afternoons of his career. He was a spectator for large parts of the game. Made one comfortable save from a header in the first half. His distribution was decent, but he was barely tested. A clean sheet is a clean sheet, but he had his defenders to thank for it.

Defenders

Evan Ndicka - 7.0: A solid and composed performance at the back. He won the majority of his duels and was a rock defensively. What we noticed was his impressive 96% pass accuracy, keeping things neat. He did miss a clear header early on, but that was his only real blemish in an otherwise strong display.

Gianluca Mancini - 7.5: A very good outing for the defender who even grabbed an assist. He was constantly looking to get involved in the attack, creating two chances. Defensively, he was solid, though he did pick up a silly yellow card. His forward passing was a key part of Roma's build-up play.

Daniele Ghilardi - 7.0: Looked very comfortable on the ball and stepped out of defense with confidence. He was strong in the air, winning most of his aerial duels. He should have scored with a header in the first half, a big chance missed. Overall a reliable and impressive performance from the defender.

Midfielders

Bryan Cristante - 6.5: A mixed bag from the captain. He dictated play from deep and completed a high volume of passes. However, he also lost possession far too many times for our liking. He worked hard and made some important recoveries but lacked the final product. A decent but unspectacular performance.

Zeki Çelik - 8.0: An outstanding performance from the midfielder. He was a constant threat down the right flank and provided a brilliant assist for Malen's second goal. His delivery was top-notch all game, and he created some big chances. Defensively solid too, he barely put a foot wrong. A fantastic display.

Wesley - 7.0: A really energetic and industrious performance in the middle of the park. He won a good number of his duels and was a disruptive force for Cagliari's midfield. He also contributed going forward, creating a chance and linking up play nicely. A player who definitely caught our eye with his work rate.

Niccolò Pisilli - 7.5: We were very impressed with this young midfielder. He showed maturity beyond his years with his tidy passing and composure on the ball. He made several key interceptions and tackles, showcasing his defensive awareness. He almost got on the scoresheet with a well-saved shot. A very promising talent.

Forwards

Lorenzo Pellegrini - 6.5: It just wasn't his day. He created a couple of chances and looked to make things happen. But he seemed a bit off the pace before being substituted early in the second half. He's capable of so much more, and this performance felt a little flat by his high standards.

Donyell Malen - 9.0: The undisputed Man of the Match. An absolutely scintillating performance. He was a nightmare for the Cagliari defence from start to finish. His two goals were taken with clinical precision. He was a constant threat with his movement and dribbling. A truly world-class display and the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Matías Soulé - 6.0: A frustrating game for the attacker. He got into some great positions but his end product was lacking. He missed a couple of good chances that he should have put away. He worked hard and showed flashes of his talent, but it was a day to forget in front of goal. We expected more.

Substitutes

Bryan Zaragoza - 6.0: Came on and showed some energy but picked up a booking.Neil El Aynaoui - 6.5: Looked tidy and had a shot saved.Antonio Arena - N/A: Not enough time to make an impact.Lorenzo Venturino - N/A: Brought on late in the game.

Manager

G. Gasperini - 7.5: His game plan worked to perfection. Roma controlled the match from the first whistle to the last. His team selection was spot on, and they played with a clear identity. A comfortable and well-managed victory for his side.

Cagliari Player Ratings vs Roma

Here are Cagliari player ratings from the Serie A fixture against AS Roma:

Goalkeeper

Elia Caprile - 6.0: It was a tough day for the keeper. He conceded two goals but couldn't really be faulted for either of Malen's brilliant finishes. He made a few decent saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Without him, it could have been worse for Cagliari. A thankless task.

Defenders

Juan Rodríguez - 5.5: He struggled to cope with Roma's relentless attacking waves. While he made a number of clearances and interceptions, he was part of a backline that was completely overwhelmed. The pace and movement of Roma's forwards were too much for him to handle. A difficult evening.

Alberto Dossena - 5.5: He had a torrid time trying to contain Donyell Malen. He also picked up a yellow card and missed a big chance to score for his team. A performance he will want to forget quickly. He battled hard but was simply outclassed on the day.

Zé Pedro - 5.0: A really poor performance. He was dribbled past multiple times and looked completely out of his depth. He was a liability at the back and was rightfully substituted. From our perspective, he was one of the worst performers on the pitch. A night to forget.

Adam Obert - 6.5: One of the few Cagliari players who can hold their head high. He was under immense pressure but made a remarkable number of clearances and recoveries. He fought bravely in a losing cause. It was a commendable individual effort despite the team's overall poor showing.

Midfielders

Marco Palestra - 7.0: Cagliari's best player on the day. He was a bundle of energy, winning an incredible number of duels and drawing several fouls. He was a real fighter in the middle of the park. His performance was a silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud for Cagliari. Showed great spirit.

Luca Mazzitelli - 5.5: He was completely overrun in midfield and failed to make any significant impact on the game. He was largely anonymous before being substituted. A disappointing display from a player who is usually more influential.

Michel Adopo - 6.0: He worked tirelessly but lacked the quality to make a difference. He lost possession too often and struggled to cope with Roma's midfield press. A battling performance but ultimately not effective enough. He never gave up, though.

Gianluca Gaetano - 6.0: He showed some nice touches but couldn't unlock the stubborn Roma defence. He got a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. He tried to get his team going but was fighting a losing battle. A frustrating evening for him.

Forwards

Semih Kılıçsoy - 5.5: Was completely isolated up front. He received very little service and was left to chase shadows for most of the game. He battled hard but was ineffective and gave away too many fouls. A thankless task for the lone striker.

Sebastiano Esposito - 6.0: He worked hard off the ball and tracked back to help his defence. However, he offered very little going forward. He was well-marshalled by the Roma backline and never looked like scoring. Substituted in the second half.

Substitutes

Ibrahim Sulemana - 6.5: Came on and almost scored a wonder goal, hitting the crossbar.Leonardo Pavoletti - 6.0: Added a physical presence but had little service.Riyad Idrissi - 5.5: Came on and picked up a yellow card.Gabriele Zappa - N/A: Not enough time to make an impact.Yael Trepy - N/A: Late substitute.

Manager

F. Pisacane - 5.5: His team was outplayed and out-thought from the start. His defensive setup was torn apart by Roma's attack. The substitutions didn't change the course of the game. A difficult day at the office for the Cagliari boss.