Roma continued their impressive home form with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Cagliari, securing their 11th win in 12 matches at the Stadio Olimpico. Artem Dovbyk, who had been challenged by Claudio Ranieri to show greater trust in his teammates, responded emphatically by netting the game’s only goal in the second half.
Ranieri had warned the Ukrainian forward ahead of the match that he risked losing his starting role if he failed to connect better with the squad. However, Dovbyk proved his worth, and his coach was full of praise. “He’s a player who thrives on support and encouragement, and both the team and I make sure he feels that,” Ranieri told DAZN via TMW. “He shouldn’t focus only on scoring but on being in the right position and taking his chances. I’m pleased for him because breaking the deadlock was crucial.”
Roma Bounce Back After Europa League Disappointment
Following their painful elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Athletic Club, the Giallorossi needed a response. They delivered with a determined display, showing resilience in front of a packed home crowd.
“I asked the players to react strongly,” Ranieri said. “The fans filled the stadium and gave their full support. We needed a performance built on determination, hard work, and sacrifice. The second half of the season has become incredibly competitive, so we will take things one match at a time and see where that leads us.”
Roma’s latest victory keeps them in seventh place in Serie A, just four points away from the top four as they continue their push for Champions League qualification.
Dybala’s Injury Not Linked to His Knee
Paulo Dybala, who was not at full fitness, entered the match in the second half but was forced off shortly after due to an injury. The sight of the Argentine in tears on the bench alarmed fans, raising fears of a serious issue.
However, Ranieri sought to ease concerns, clarifying that the discomfort was not related to Dybala’s knee. “He felt something in the back, not his knee,” the coach explained. “He’ll undergo medical tests, and we hope it’s nothing too serious.” Roma will now await further evaluations to determine the extent of the issue as they prepare for their next challenge.
