Serie A: Roma Edges Cagliari 2-0, Closes in on Juventus
Roma moves level on points with Juventus after Malen's masterclass. Donyell Malen scores his first two goals for Roma in 2-0 win over Cagliari in Serie A.
Roma kept pressing, and Malen made them pay with a stunning goal just before halftime...
Donyell Malen was on fire, scoring his first two goals for Roma in their 2-0 win over Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. This win puts Roma level on points with fourth-place Juventus in Serie A. Malen's masterclass was key to Roma's dominance, with Cagliari struggling to cope, especially without Yerry Mina.
Cagliari's defense was under pressure from the start, with Como loanee Alberto Dossena making his first appearance since March in a makeshift lineup. Roma's attack was relentless, and Malen's goals were the result of some slick team play.
Malen's brace gives Roma the home win! 🏠#RomaCagliari pic.twitter.com/z9nc31NHVI
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 9, 2026
The game got spicy early, with the 27-year-old booked less than six minutes in for a trip on Malen. Evan Ndicka had a chance to put Cagliari on the board from the resulting free-kick, but it went over. Things got even more chaotic when Elia Caprile had a wild moment, letting a backpass roll towards his own goal – luckily, he recovered to clear it off the line.
Roma kept pressing, and Malen made them pay with a stunning goal just before halftime. He beat Dossena, received a pass from Gianluca Mancini, and chipped the ball over Caprile for his second goal since joining on loan from Aston Villa.
Malen and Daniele Ghilardi had chances to extend Roma's lead late in the first half, but they went off target. Cagliari didn't pose much threat, and Roma kept a clean sheet at half-time, their 10th in 12 Serie A home games this season.
Cagliari stemmed Roma's attack after the break, but coach Gian Piero Gasperini brought on Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza for his debut near the hour mark. The breakthrough came 20 minutes later when Malen bundled in Zeki Celik's cross, securing Roma's 2-0 win.
Cagliari's Late Push Falls Short
Cagliari needed a spark, and midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana came close with a swerving shot from long range that hit the top of the crossbar. Dossena also had a late chance, poking an effort wide, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Donyell Malen is the Panini Player of the Match! ⚽⚽#RomaCagliari pic.twitter.com/QUtVXIw0eo
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 9, 2026
Roma's win keeps them hot on Juventus' heels, with only goal difference separating them. Cagliari, on the other hand, remains 12th, still winless in their past 11 visits to Roma (D2) – with eight of those defeats coming 0-nil.
That's a wrap on matchweek 24 ✅ pic.twitter.com/XhvrHGgqNG
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 9, 2026
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