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We'll be singing a different tune a few hours from now, but as we wait for kick-off, today's Cagliari vs. Roma fixture is an impossible one to predict. For Roma, this fixture is relatively consequence-free as the Giallorossi are firmly entrenched in seventh place with little hope for upward mobility. Cagliari, for their part, is in the middle of a relegation battle and desperately needs three points to keep pace with 17th place Benevento.
Making matters more difficult for Roma is their looming Europa League semifinal fixture against Manchester United on Thursday; a date that is likely to factor into any decision Paulo Fonseca makes today.
In sum, we're looking at one team with everything in the world to play for hosting a team that, while they may suggest otherwise, is likely looking ahead to a much more consequential match on Thursday.
So, will Roma's basic superiority win the day or will Cagliari's ample and evident motivation put them over the top?
The lineups are in, let's get down to business!
Lineups
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 25, 2021
@ChrisSmalling is back - here's our starting XI for today's game!
#ASRoma #CagliariRoma pic.twitter.com/nuLnhEVn5c
| STARTING XI
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) April 25, 2021
Scendiamo in campo così
Dai ragazzi, dai dai dai #CagliariRoma #forzaCasteddu pic.twitter.com/9O1dSIiGdA