Ranking Roma’s players from worst to best in the 0-0 draw with Cagliari

Roma started the 2024-25 Serie A season with a draw, much like many of the other teams over the opening weekend.

However, in a game overshadowed by questions over Paulo Dybala’s future as he sat on the bench and later came on, Roma struggled to get a statement win against a dogged Cagliari side who threatened almost equally as much.

Here, in a new style of post-match analysis, Giallorossi Yorkshire ranks Roma’s players (including substitutes) from worst to best on the night.

Nicola Zalewski

Embed from Getty Images

The most frightening sight on the starting team sheet, Zalewski did sometimes attempt some dribbles and crosses but the action that is proving to be most memorable was when he inexplicably curled the ball completely out of play.

Tammy Abraham

The late substitute struggled to control the ball when it came to him, though part of the reason he’s so low in the ranking is the lack of time he was on the pitch.

Stephan El Shaarawy

El Shaarawy had Roma’s last shot of the game and after all the dramatic moments he’s provided in his time with the club, it couldn’t have fallen to anyone better, but he aimed just wide. Like Abraham, not on the pitch long enough to rank highly.

Zeki Celik

One of the players Roma didn’t really envisage being a starter this season, Celik didn’t do anything too ambitious down the right-hand side but was comfortable enough.

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Roma’s captain made a couple of late challenges he was lucky to escape without caution from, and also had their clearest shooting chance but aimed straight at the keeper without much venom.

Gianluca Mancini

After cleaning up his act last season, Mancini was sometimes overcommitted in his duels, even though he did make it through the game without a booking.

Tommaso Baldanzi

Darting about, the attacking-midfield substitute showed his hunger to make an impression and sometimes latched onto balls that looked beyond his reach.

Enzo Le Fee

Some positive signs from one of Roma’s three debutants, with the midfielder making some angular movements but sometimes failing to find connection with his new teammates. It will come.

Paulo Dybala

Embed from Getty Images

Was it his last game for Roma? Even though it was just a cameo off the bench, the quality Dybala played with showed why his sale would be a big loss to the team. Creating more chances than anyone else – yes, that’s a real stat – he used expert technique to pick out Dovbyk with a cross late in the game and generally helped Roma’s flow. Maybe it’s a placebo effect, but Roma looked a lot better with him on the pitch.

Evan Ndicka

The sturdier and steadier of Roma’s centre-back pairing, Ndicka also assisted in attack towards the end with a marauding run forward as he tried to carry his team up the pitch.

Artem Dovbyk

No goal yet, but some encouraging signs on debut from Roma’s big new striker. His hold-up play looked good and he was a presence while leading the line, even hitting the bar with a header late on. The service to him needs to improve to maximise his potential.

Angelino

After being thrust into the role of starting left-back since Leonardo Spinazzola’s exit, Angelino aimed to convince he is worthy of it with a decent performance at left-back. Going forwards, he made an impression and was the more threatening full-back.

Matias Soule

The best of Roma’s debutants, Soule started on the right wing and was a danger with his dribbling ability, also trying to put balls into the box. It didn’t always come off for him, but it was a promising display for someone who could become a creator in chief in a post-Dybala era.

Bryan Cristante

Perhaps benefitting from Leandro Paredes’ suspension, Cristante grew into the game in midfield, making some crucial recoveries and tackles. Mainly sitting in front of the defence, he didn’t attack much, but was better than usual at breaking up play. Roma’s long-serving Italian core of him, Pellegrini and Mancini has been under intense scrutiny in between-season analysis, but he came out best on the opening day. In fact, the best outfield player for Roma.

Mile Svilar

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? On one hand, it was important for Svilar to make an error-free performance to show that last season’s late form was no flash in the pan. He accomplished that, pulling off some smart saves including a fingertip onto the crossbar. On the other hand, it’s a bit concerning that Roma’s best player against a relegation candidate was their keeper. But it’s always important to have someone reliable between the sticks and the evidence is that Svilar will remain that way this season.