Niccolo Pisilli Fights For Roma Future ‘Dream’ As Italian Press Rave After Stuttgart Heroics

Niccolo Pisilli all but guaranteed he will be staying at Roma after scoring twice against Stuttgart.

Niccolo Pisilli Magic Helps Roma Beat Stuttgart

The Giallorossi academy product delivered a faultless performance to move his side to the brink of the Europa League last-16, the three points propelling them up to sixth place in the table.

Pisilli could leave the Stadio Olimpico this month, with numerous Serie A rivals circling, but he wants to stay and fight for his place, insisting playing for the club is a ‘dream’.

With new signings Donyell Malen and Robinio Vaz both ineligible, Gian Piero Gasperini reshuffled his pack.

Pisilli was handed another start and duly repaid his manager’s faith.

Roma took the lead shortly before half-time when the youngster latched onto Matis Soule’s through ball and opted to shoot, smashing his powerful strike beyond Alexander Nubel and into the roof of the net.

Then, deep inside stoppage time, Pisilli wrapped up his brace, crashing home after Paulo Dybala’s neat pass.

“I am happy, it had been a while since I’d scored for Roma. But I am above all happy with the victory, as the team needed that,” Pisilli told Sky Sport Italia.

He then added: “Playing for Roma is a dream for me, as I am a Romanista, but everyone wants to play and naturally they will reflect. I am 100 per cent focused on Roma and will be until my final day here.”

Niccolò Pisilli the hero in Rome ⚽️⚽️#UEL pic.twitter.com/KvARjcpcuA

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) January 22, 2026

Italian Press Praise All-Round Performance

Unsurprisingly, Pisilli was widely praised for his display in the Italian press.

Goal handed him a well-deserved 8/10 rating before describing his second goal as a “flash of brilliance”.

Also dishing out an 8, Virgilio Sport wrote: “Always in the thick of the action, he works for his teammates, then sets out on his own and at the end of the first half, he doesn’t let Nubel down.

“He decides to close the match out with another lethal right-footer.”

The 21-year-old appeared to cover every blade of grass, and Il Messaggero saluted his tireless work rate.

“Lots of running and commitment, that’s never lacking with him,” said the outlet. “And finally, we see him doing what he does best: breaking free and finishing. The first goal is beautiful.

“The second seals the deal and saves the final suffering in injury time. A brace that rhymes with permanence: depriving one of them would be criminal.”

Leggo opted for an 8, too, adding: “It’s well-deserved for the dedication of a young man who had patience.”

While Gasperini views Pisilli as a rotation option, he has done enough to press home his claim to start regularly.

Elsewhere in the Europa League, Bologna drew 2-2 with Celtic but guaranteed a spot in the play-offs.