Gian Piero Gasperini said the difficulties Cagliari caused during Roma's 4-2 victory made the win "even more precious" as their strong start in Serie A continued on Tuesday.

Roma ensured they remained on the tails of league leaders Lazio by scoring two late goals to battle past Cagliari, with substitute Rodrigo Mora starring in the closing stages. 

M'Bala Nzola's 10th-minute penalty had put Cagliari ahead, but two quickfire strikes from Emanuele Lulli and Niccolo Pisilli ensured Roma went in at half-time with the lead. 

But Cagliari thought they had salvaged a point nine minutes from time when Daniel Maldini finished past Pierluigi Gollini, but it was Roma who would have the last laugh.

Mora headed Daniele Ghilardi's cross home in the 85th minute before top scorer Donyell Malen sealed the win, having seen his first attempt blocked by Juan Rodriguez. 

Roma are now unbeaten in 17 consecutive Serie A home matches (W13 D4), their longest such run since a 24-game streak between December 2015 and February 2017 under Rudi Garcia and Luciano Spalletti (W20 D4).

They have also scored 23 goals in their first nine matches of this Serie A season, last netting more than 20 at this stage of a campaign in 2016-17, when they also scored 23 under Spalletti, with Gasperini relishing his team's latest victory. 

"Undoubtedly, we had a few difficulties today," Gasperini confessed to DAZN Italia, as quoted by Football Italia. 

"They were fresher in attack and created problems for us. We are also using the same elements in midfield for every game and the fatigue is starting to show.

"That makes our victory even more precious, because everyone was involved."

#RomaCagliari 4-2 https://t.co/UHBDNkb0sb

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) October 27, 2026

Gasperini also saw two Roma academy products link up for their second goal of the match, with Pisilli volleying in Lulli's teasing cross from inside the penalty area. 

Pisilli has scored three goals in eight appearances in this Serie A season, one fewer than he managed in 55 combined appearances across his previous four top-flight seasons.

Lulli, meanwhile, is one of two defenders born in 2007 or later to have been involved in at least three goals in the top five European leagues this season, with three (two goals, one assist) – level with Xavi Espart (one goal, two assists).

"They are extraordinary lads," Gasperini said of the two Roma youngsters. "In the Roma youth team there are always players who love the club so much and that gives them the dream of making their debut here. 

"They are still very young and certainly have talent. Lulli scored with a header. He was training on that yesterday, because it is not his greatest strength."

Gasperini has had to rotate his Roma side of late, with injuries and their Champions League commitments seeing plenty of rotation within his ranks. 

The likes of Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar, Manu Kone and Lorenzo Pellegrini are all unavailable through injury. 

"It's not easy to play games without Dybala and Kone, so we can make mistakes, but winning against a difficult side like Cagliari is something to be proud of," Gasperini added.