View from the Opposition: The quickfire scouting report on Cagliari

We caught up with CalcioCasteddu.it correspondent Luca Zanda to discuss Cagliari’s form coming into the clash against the Giallorossi and get an idea of the starting eleven Luis Diego Lopez is likely to pick at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night...

How have Cagliari changed from last year and what are the objectives for the season?

"A number of Cagliari’s key players have changed. Bruno Alves, Davide Di Gennaro, Mauricio Isla and Marco Borriello have all left, with Marco Andreolli, Gregory van der Wiel, Luca Cigarini and Leonardo Pavoletti coming in.

"The Rossoblu’s aim is to avoid relegation without putting themselves through the wringer too much – they’d like to get 48 points, which is one more than last season. Alessio Cragno and co. started slowly, picking up just six points from their first eight games, but they’ve improved since Luis Diego Lopez took over on 18 October following the sacking of Massimo Rastelli. The Sardinians are now in 14th spot on 17 points."

What formation will Cagliari play with and what kind of starting eleven might we expect from Lopez?

"Cagliari will use their regular 3-5-2 formation against Roma, bolstered by the return of the vital Nicolo Barella, who is back after missing a game through suspension. Paolo Farago is another key player in that system, but the former Novara man won’t be involved in the game due to a problem with his left thigh.

"Lopez is planning on picking the following team: Cragno in goal behind a three-man defence of Filippo Romagna, Andreolli and Fabio Pisacane, with Van der Wiel, Barella, Cigarini, Artur Ionita and Simone Padoin in midfield and an attacking duo of Joao Pedro and Pavoletti."

Who will be Cagliari’s key player against Roma?

"I’ll go with Brazilian trequartista Joao Pedro, who Lopez has been playing as a second striker off Pavoletti recently. He might give Eusebio Di Francesco’s side a headache or two with his movement between the lines, perhaps forcing Daniele De Rossi to drop deeper."

If you could take one player out of this Roma team, who would it be?

"Federico Fazio. He’s very strong in the area and has good all-round technique. I don’t have any problem in saying he’s one of the best centre-backs in the league.

"At the start of the season some people thought he wasn’t going to fit in with Di Francesco’s attacking style, but in actual fact he’s been one of the key components of what is the best defence in the league so far."