Serie A | Roma 1-0 Cagliari: Dovbyk gives ideal reply to critics | OneFootball

Artem Dovbyk gave the best response to recent criticism by giving Roma victory over Cagliari, their sixth straight Serie A win, but Paulo Dybala limped off with a new injury.

The Giallorossi went out of the Europa League in Thursday’s dramatic defeat to Athletic Club, which saw Mats Hummels sent off after just 11 minutes, but their Serie A form was a remarkable five straight wins. Rotation was necessary, as Zeki Celik missed out, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dybala not fully fit. Cagliari were without Zito Luvumbo, Gabriele Zappa and struggling Florinel Coman, but moved to a three-man defence.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Dovbyk fired over from outside the area and Gianluca Mancini thought his volley from a corner was on target until a deflection took it wide.

The former Girona striker’s glancing header sent a Matias Soule cross just wide of the far post, while another of the Ukrainian’s aerial efforts was off target.

Cagliari threatened on the stroke of half-time when Nadir Zortea burst down the right and fired over from a tricky angle, then after the restart Roma struggled to clear Alessandro Deiola’s glancing header on a corner.

Moments later, Mile Svilar made a huge reaction save on Roberto Piccoli, who had managed to volley the Zortea cross from point-blank range.

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 16: Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma is challenged by Adam Obert of Cagliari during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari at Stadio Olimpico on March 16, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

While Evan N’Dicka made a crucial block on Piccoli, Roma wasted another golden opportunity with Dovbyk sent clear by Tommaso Baldanzi.

However, they scored on the resulting corner when the set play bounced off Deiola’s back and the ricochet fell kindly for Dovbyk to sweep home from six yards. The teammates crowding around him showed how much the under-fire striker needed this confidence-booster.

Piccoli tested Svilar again with a low angled drive, parried by one hand, but the best save was on the Yerry Mina diving header from point-blank range on a free kick.

Roma had more bad news, because while attempting a back-heel flick, substitute Dybala pulled up clutching the back of his left knee and had to be replaced. Things got even worse when Devyne Rensch also pulled up at the 88th minute, leaving his team practically down to 10 men because all the substitutions had been completed, but Roma held on under pressure and some Leonardo Pavoletti headers.

Dovbyk 62 (R)