Cagliari 0-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi need just a point from either of their final two league games to be guaranteed a spot in next season's competition - after a hard-fought 1-0 win at the Sardegna Arena.

Cengiz Under scored the only goal of the game just 15 minutes into proceedings to secure the victory, as his left-footed shot found home off the inside of the far post.

In truth the Giallorossi were forced to sit deep for large parts of the contest, their job not helped by their relegation-threatened opponents' urgent need for points and their exertions in midweek.

Further obstacles came coach Eusebio Di Francesco's way in the form of injuries - as Kostas Manolas got injured in the warm-up, his replacement Elio Capradossi suffered cramps during the contest, and full-back Bruno Peres also got a knock.

But Roma withheld the various reshuffles to fend off their opponents - and will return to the Olimpico for next weekend's game against Juventus knowing that a positive result will qualify them back for the Champions League next season.

Team selection

Eusebio Di Francesco named Maxime Gonalons and Daniele De Rossi in the starting XI together for the first time - as he switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Radja Nainggolan operating further forward.

The boss was then forced into another change moments before the contest, as Elio Capradossi had to replace Kostas Manolas (and make his club debut) after the latter man suffered an injury in the warm-up.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

1' - Instant chance for Cagliari, as Padoin's early shot from 25 yards out curls just fractionally wide of Alisson's far post!

13' - Last-gasp block! Cengiz so close to breaking the deadlock here: Gerson squares the ball across for the winger who looks to turn home from six yards - but Deiola gets his body in the way!

15' - GOAL! GET IN! Brilliant stuff from the winger! Dzeko does well to control the ball and play it into the box for Cengiz, who sizes up his options and then hits a low left-footed drive home off the inside of the far post! DAJE! 0-1!

24' - Good chance for Gerson to double the advantage - but he can't find the finishing touch after meeting an inviting inswinging free-kick!

33' - Pavoletti gets the final touch on a low cross into the box, but the shot is straight at Alisson and the 'keeper saves comfortably.

36' - Incredible save Alisson! Bruno Peres nearly turns into his own net from another dangerous Cagliari cross... but his compatriot bails him out with a great block!

39' - Deiola smashes a low shot narrowly wide from just outside the box.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

47' - Determined start from the home side. Capradossi makes a block to bail Alisson out of trouble, and then Fazio blocks Padoin's powerful half-volley.

56' - Farias gets in behind the Roma defence but the ball gets stuck under his feet and the chance goes to waste for the hosts.

66' - Fazio heads over from a corner.

67' - An intricate passing move from Roma ends with Gonalons clipping the ball in for Radja - but the midfielder hits his first-time volley over the crossbar.

73' - Vital last-ditch challenge from Kolarov - who has now moved to centre-back - to deny a clear goalscoring chance!

83' - Big save Alisson! Sau gets in behind the defence but the Brazilian makes himself big and produces the stop!

90' - Dzeko turns and shoots narrowly over from the edge of the box.

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"This [injuries and fatigue] is what comes with the work, our travelling and our schedule – these are things that get in the way at this stage of the season. We won ugly -  a lot of teams struggle here against Cagliari. In terms of motivation and how ruthless they were, it was a great performance from the team.”

- Eusebio Di Francesco

“We battled together right up until the final whistle. We prepared really well for this game and we take home the three points. For us the season is not over just yet – we want to finish strongly."I had it in mind to shoot once I saw the space open up, and I got off a nice strike that went in. I’m pleased it helped us bring home the three points.”

- Cengiz Under

What's next?

The Giallorossi are back in action on Sunday, as they host Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico.

The final game of the season sees Eusebio Di Francesco travel to his old side, as they come up against Sassuolo the following weekend.

CAGLIARI 0-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Cengiz (15')

Cagliari: Cragno; Faragò, Ceppitelli, Andreolli, Lykogiannīs; Deiola, Barella, Padoin, Ioniță; Farias, Pavoletti.

Roma: Alisson, Peres, Fazio, Capradossi, Kolarov; De Rossi, Gonalons; Gerson, Nainggolan, Cengiz, Dzeko.