Roma options are limited, so Santiago Castro, Nahuel Molina and Matias Soulé start against Cagliari, who lose Harry Winks, but launch Yukinari Sugawara.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between AS Roma and SK Slovan Bratislava at Stadio Olimpico on October 20, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
The Giallorossi are struggling with an injury crisis and the added strain of the Champions League, winning only one of their last four Serie A matches.
They were held in a 3-3 thriller at Napoli on Saturday, also drawing with Como and Inter in recent weeks.
Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini are still out of action, but there has to be some squad rotation for Gian Piero Gasperini.
He rests Mario Hermoso, Wesley and Donyell Malen, but there is still no room for Rodrigo Mora, as Bryan Cristante is in a more advanced role with Soulé and Castro.
Leonardo Balerdi scored twice at Napoli, but he is on the bench too.
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Rodrigo Mora Carvlho of AS Roma reacts during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 24, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Cagliari had such a strong start to the season, but their form has fallen off a cliff after the 1-1 draw with Juventus, losing 4-0 at Monza and 2-0 at home to Bologna.
Harry Winks suffered a back injury during that game at the weekend, joining Mattia Felici and Riyad Idrissi on the treatment table.
The big news is that Yael Trepy is back on the bench for the first time since he was rushed to hospital on August 17 when nearly drowning in a swimming pool.
There is also the first start for Japan international Sugawara, on loan from Southampton, and they move to a 3-5-2 formation.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Cagliari Calcio head coach Fabio Pisacane and Yukinari Sugawara of Cagliari Calcio celebrate the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Roma vs. Cagliari line-ups
Roma: Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Koulierakis; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Molina; Cristante, Soulé; Castro
Cagliari: Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez; Sugawara, Romano, Deiola, Adopo, Obert; Fadera, Nzola
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