Three to Watch: Cagliari's biggest threat comes from a familiar face

Roma are in red-hot form as they face Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.

The Giallorossi have won 12 in a row at home, and manager Luciano Spalletti will be demanding nothing short of victory – especially given memories of the 2-2 draw when these two sides met in Sardinia earlier in the campaign.

Nevertheless, the Casteddu are led by the talented Massimo Rastelli, who has imposed a composed build-up play to his side. With his side sitting comfortable in the middle of the table, Cagliari could impose a more daring and unpredictable approach - leading our columnist to believe that these three players could make the difference for the Rossoblu...

Marco Borriello

After leaving the capital in search of more playing time, the 34-year-old is having a something of a late-career renaissance.

He leads his team in goals - having scored nine - while having scored four of these in his last five matches.

An ever-present aerial threat, and a determined sprinter, Borriello will be trying his best to prove his prowess against his former employer – something he has been fairly adept at doing in the recent past.

Though with almost three dispossessions and bad touches per game, a reminder that the striker is not quite the physical and technical giant he once was, the Giallorossi's pacy defenders should be able to take advantage of the striker if they match his assertive playing style.

Marco Sau

The most fluid attacker in the Sardi's arsenal, the striker is the hometown hero for his club.

Born and raised in Cagliari, Pattolino has scored four goals this season and created three assists.

Often working in tandem with Borriello, Sau is a model support striker, as he not only checks-back to claim the ball, but provides key passes, as well as opens play for himself to maximize scoring opportunities.

The local player is shooting with a deadly accuracy of 88%, making no margin for error when marking the dynamic forward. Given he could arrive in this game from the bench, his elusive style is something the Giallorossi backline may have to react to in the second half.

Mauricio Isla

The rapid maturance and subsequent emergence of Emerson Palmieri has been a huge boon for Roma in recent weeks, the Brazilian offering balance and penetration down the left for the Giallorossi – helping the team’s transition to a three-man defence progress so smoothly. On Sunday, however, he will come up against a full-back well-versed in such responsibilities in Mauricio Isla.

The former Juventus player, and current Chile international, is no stranger to high-pressure games, and knows as well as any player in his position the need to balance and attack and defence while giving width to his side.

It should be an interesting duel between the two South Americans, both reacting to one another to prevent an attacking break. Given Emerson’s form, Cagliari will know Isla has to win his particular individual battle if the visitors are to avoid being overrun down their right.