The Stadio Olimpico was rocking on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as AS Roma secured a definitive 2–0 victory over VfB Stuttgart.
In a high-stakes head-to-head battle for automatic qualification, the Giallorossi capitalized on their home advantage to move into the Europa League's elite top eight.
The night belonged to 21-year-old academy graduate Niccolò Pisilli, whose brace proved that Roma's future is as bright as its legendary past.
Match Highlights: The Rise of Pisilli
Despite rotating seven players from the squad that beat Torino in Serie A, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini watched his side deliver a performance of "great maturity."
The Breakthrough (40’): After a cagey opening, Matías Soulé played an inspired through-ball down the right. Instead of crossing, Pisilli caught Stuttgart keeper Alexander Nübel off-guard with a clinical strike into the far top corner from a tight angle.
The Closer (90+3’): Deep into stoppage time, substitute Paulo Dybala turned his marker and provided a disguised pass for Pisilli, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from ten yards to seal the three points.
The Wall: Goalkeeper Mile Svilar was instrumental once again, making a series of crucial saves—including a one-on-one against Deniz Undav—to keep Stuttgart at bay.
The Totti Blessing
Adding to the atmosphere was a special guest in the stands: Francesco Totti. Making his first visit to the Olimpico in nearly three years, the legendary captain was seen celebrating as Pisilli—a player being compared to icons like Marco Tardelli—carried the team to victory.
Niccolò Pisilli: "Playing for Roma is a dream for me. I am happy with the goals, but more importantly, the team needed this win to control our destiny. Having Totti in the stands made it even more special."
The Verdict: Roma are hitting their stride at the perfect time. While Stuttgart showed intent, they lacked the clinical edge that Pisilli and Dybala provided. For Gasperini, the depth of his squad is proving to be the secret weapon in Roma's European charge.