Capello credits Malen as key to Roma's third-place finish

Gian Piero Gasperini is on the verge of a historic milestone. Against Como, the Roma head coach can reach 300 Serie A victories, a landmark achieved by only four managers in Italian league history: Trapattoni (352), Allegri (324), Spalletti (306), and Nereo Rocco (302). The match against Fabregas's side carries extra weight beyond the personal achievement. Roma's form under Gasperini has been strong since the season's start—the club is winning, convincing, and giving supporters genuine hope after two years of rebuilding. But a troubling pattern threatens that momentum. Last season, Roma suffered three defeats in four matches following international breaks, including two losses to Inter and one to Torino, with only a win against Cremonese providing respite. This time the challenge is magnified: the break has lasted three weeks, an unprecedented stoppage that has disrupted the continuity Gasperini had carefully constructed from the beginning of the 2026-27 season. With the team currently sitting atop the standings, the stakes could hardly be higher. Gasperini must now navigate that history of post-break struggles while chasing his personal record. The goal is singular: prevent the ghosts of last season's collapses from returning. Sunday's fixture offers far more than three league points—it represents a chance to prove that Roma have truly moved on from their vulnerability in these moments.

Roma's playing squad is valued at €600 million according to new estimates from Football Benchmark, placing the club third in Italy behind Inter (€829m) and Juventus (€777m). The valuation reflects both investment from the Friedkin Group ownership and the squad development during Gian Piero Gasperini's first year as head coach. Como surprisingly ranks fourth with a squad valued at €583 million. Serie A as a whole continues to strengthen its position among Europe's elite leagues, reaching a combined squad value of €6.3 billion. The English Premier League remains dominant with €14.1 billion, while Spain's Liga stands at approximately €6.6 billion. Over the past five years, Serie A's total squad value has grown by 19 per cent, trailing the Premier League's 36 per cent growth and Liga's 25 per cent, but ahead of Ligue 1's 20 per cent and the Bundesliga's 12 per cent. For Roma, the €600 million figure represents the technical and financial growth constructed over recent seasons, underpinned by foreign capital investment across the league and the broader post-Covid recovery affecting Italian football.

Manu Koné started in midfield for France during UEFA Nations League matchday four as the team came from behind to beat Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France under Zinedine Zidane. Playing alongside Camavinga and Akliouche, Koné remained on the pitch for 60 minutes, providing substance and dynamism in the heart of the French midfield. Belgium took the lead through Lukebakio in the first half, but France turned the match around after the interval with goals from Doué, Cherki, and a brace from Olise. With his international commitment fulfilled, Koné is set to return to Rome and rejoin Gasperini at the Trigoria training centre ahead of Roma's away fixture at Como's Stadio Sinigaglia. The French midfielder's contribution will be crucial to the midfield setup for that match. Gasperini views Koné as a central and indispensable element of his tactical project, believing the 2001-born player has significant room for improvement to further elevate his value and performance in a Roma shirt.

Evan N'Dicka is set to return to Trigoria after international duty with Ivory Coast and will target a starting berth against Como. Physical complaints, a virus, and Leonardo Balerdi's strong performances have limited his appearances; he was benched for tactical reasons against Inter. Bryan Cristante remains under assessment following a left knee collateral problem. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini explained the situation: "Bryan is recovering, he's being treated and it takes time. It's not certain he'll definitely miss Como and Real Madrid, but we won't be willing to risk anything. If he has to miss one or two more matches, the objective is to get him back in top condition." Wesley reportedly reached out directly to his friend Endrick, expressing how pleased he would be to welcome him to Roma as early as January. The contact between the two Brazilians drew on a bond formed through difficult moments; last June, Endrick had himself called Wesley after an injury forced him to leave Brazil's training camp. The roles have now reversed, with the Roma winger ready to tell Endrick about the club and Trigoria. The pair will have a chance to meet at the Olimpico on 14 October when Roma face Real Madrid. According to Football Benchmark estimates, Roma's squad is valued at approximately €600 million, the third-highest figure in Serie A behind Inter (€829 million) and Juventus (€777 million). The valuation is linked to resources invested by the Friedkin Group and Gasperini's work during his first year. Two Roma players feature in the top 10 in the league: Manu Koné at €64 million and Donyell Malen at €58 million. Roma supporters will return to away fixtures without residency restrictions for the first time in nine months. The away section at Sinigaglia will be full for the Como match, despite technical issues many fans encountered during ticket sales. From Sunday, Roma enter an intense stretch of nine matches in 27 days across Serie A and the Champions League, with approximately 62,000 spectators expected at the Olimpico for Real Madrid's visit.

Radio commentators Simone Valdarchi and Piero Torri have offered contrasting views on Roma's squad and management in separate interviews. Valdarchi addressed the relationship between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Como's Cesc Fabregas, stating: "Between Gasperini and Fabregas there is a bit of tension, it is something known for some time. Various episodes have shown it: missed handshakes and comments on each other's football. There is certainly technical respect, but if we look at the Subbuteo episode it fits into this context." Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà, expressed his unwavering faith in midfielder Manu Koné, saying: "Doumbia seems strong to me, but I find it absurd to think of a life after Koné. I am completely in love with Koné as a footballer. I would never consider the idea of selling Koné, but if someone comes with 100 million you have to sit down and I think it is almost inevitable. The objective, in my opinion, is to prevent his departure." On prospective forward Endrick, Torri added: "For Roma, Endrick would not play 20 matches out of 20. If there are two spots up front they are booked by Dybala and Malen."

Lorenzo Pellegrini is poised to start for Roma at Como on Sunday lunchtime as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares a tactical masterclass against Cesc Fàbregas. The Roma midfielder has spent the international break working intensively at Trigoria to restore his physical condition and has positioned himself as a strong candidate for a starting place. The fixture promises to be a refined chess match between two coaches renowned for their strategic approach; the pair already registered counter-moves and in-game adjustments in their two direct meetings last season that shifted match momentum. Pellegrini's versatility is set to be the tactical switch of the game. Should Fàbregas confirm a four-man defence in his starting 4-2-3-1, Gasperini will deploy Pellegrini on the attacking midfield line, free to move between the lines and supply the attacking pair of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. This setup is designed to remove reference points for Como's centre-backs and break the opposition's pressing lines. Roma's current strength lies in their capacity to adapt to the opponent's reading of play. In their last meeting by Lake Como, when Como switched to a three-man defence, Roma suffered from defensive escalation and had to shift Pellegrini into an unnatural wide position on the right. On Sunday, Gasperini's response will be far more fluid and effective. Should Fàbregas move to a three-man line mid-match, Roma will redraw their attacking setup without losing balance: Dybala on the right, Pellegrini in his favoured left position, and Malen as the central pivot. This variety of solutions is also supported by alternatives on the bench, where Matías Soulé and young Rodrigo Mora offer guarantees to replace either Dybala or the Dutch forward in the closing stages.