Capello: Malen unstoppable, a more powerful Paolo Rossi with Ronaldo's movement

Fabio Capello has highlighted Donyell Malen as the key threat for Como ahead of Roma's Serie A sixth-round fixture at 12:30 on 11 October. The former Roma manager analysed the forward's qualities in La Gazzetta dello Sport, warning Como's defenders that Malen will be extremely difficult to contain. "The centre-back who faces Malen—Ramon or Chalobah—must be completely focused and very reactive, because today the Dutchman is unmarked," Capello said. "He has everything: a sense of goal, speed in ball control, power. He is never still. He is also clever, knows how to exploit any ball. In the box he reminds me of Paolo Rossi, with a more powerful physique. Some movements could evoke Ronaldo the phenomenon, though he himself was far more powerful. Above all, Malen always shoots and from every position. Great job by Gasperini to transform him into a centre-forward. When Roma has the ball, he always puts the attackers in motion."

Claudio Ranieri once courted Cesc Fabregas for Roma after a match against Como at the Olimpico, but when the Spaniard declined, his attention turned to Gian Piero Gasperini. The choice between them marked a pivotal moment: Ranieri's tenure at Roma ultimately ended, but Gasperini now dominates the scene at Trigoria. The two managers have since faced each other once, with the result split and some controversy attached to the latest encounter. The comparison between them, separated by age and philosophy, is roughly balanced—both Como and Roma have invested heavily in their coaches in a model closer to English football's approach. Fabregas has overseen Como's remarkable rise from the third tier to the Champions League in a short span, a feat comparable only to magic. The two coaches maintain mutual respect despite their different approaches to the game. Ranieri, for his part, found his place in the Italian Football Federation alongside Mancini and Malagò. Disagreement has emerged between Fabregas and the Italian Football Federation over striker Moise Kean's availability for today's match. Fabregas stated: "He took a strong blow during Italy-Belgium; communication between the Federation and clubs should improve, given that he then played for ninety minutes with France while injured." The federation's physician Angelo De Carli replied: "We keep clubs constantly updated."

Gasperini is navigating a packed nine-match schedule over the next 29 days with a squad stretched by absences, beginning with tomorrow's trip to Como and a midweek Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Mile Svilar, Roma's first-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined by a lengthy injury, forcing Pierluigi Gollini into his first Serie A appearance for the club. Captain Bryan Cristante will also miss at least the next two matches, limiting Gasperini's midfield options. The coach intends to use squad rotation across both encounters without overdoing it, deploying 16 available players and rotating every department, particularly during the match itself, to keep players fresh and sharp. Changes will be concentrated on the flanks and in attack, where Gasperini plans to deploy his bench—a habitual method of his—and make best use of the wider midfielders and forwards. Ten players have been alerted for potential involvement: Molina, Lulli, Rensch, Wesley, Dybala, Malen, Soulé, Pellegrini, Castro and Mora. Gasperini will apply different structures to each department based on form and opponent; on the flanks, form and the opposing side will shape decisions, while attacking characteristics of individual players will dictate choices there. Each player effectively has a counterpart regardless of experience or age. Santiago Castro deputises for Donyell Malen at centre-forward. With Lorenzo Pellegrini's return, Matías Soulé will rotate with the former captain. The final pairing pairs high quality: Rodrigo Mora will stand in for Paulo Dybala. Defensive and midfield options are more limited, with Konstantinos Koulierakis unavailable and Cristante ruled out. At Como, Evan N'Dicka will start while Marten de Roon makes his first appearance from the beginning. Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli, recently back from international duty, are first changes off the bench.

Roma faced Como in the sixth round of Serie A on 11 October 2026 at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia in a lunchtime kick-off after the international break. Gian Piero Gasperini's side were without two key players: goalkeeper Mile Svilar, sidelined by a fractured fifth finger, and midfielder Bryan Cristante. Pierluigi Gollini started in goal in Svilar's absence, while Marten de Roon partnered Manu Koné in midfield. Wesley and Donyell Malen returned from injury. Lorenzo Pellegrini made his first league start in six months, deployed by Gasperini on the trequarti behind Paulo Dybala and Malen in Roma's 3-4-2-1 formation. The captain's return marked a significant boost to Roma's attacking options after an extended absence. Nahuel Molina occupied the right-back role, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso across the back line. Roma's official lineup read: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Pellegrini; Malen. The bench included reserve goalkeeper Vasquez, defenders Devyne Rensch, Leonardo Balerdi and Emanuele Lulli, midfielders Rodrigo Mora and Niccolò Pisilli, and forwards Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro. Como fielded a 4-2-3-1: Butez; Yan Couto, Jacobo Ramón, Chalobah, Kaiki; Perrone, Da Cunha; Diao, Nico Paz, Caqueret; Douvikas. Referee Fabbri of Ravenna took charge, with Gariglio operating as video assistant referee.

Lorenzo Pellegrini will start for Roma in the Serie A match against Como on 11 October, marking his first time in the team's opening formation for six months. Gian Piero Gasperini's side travel to the Giuseppe Sinigaglia for the sixth-round lunch kick-off, where they face Cesc Fabregas's Como side. The appointment comes during the international break window and presents Roma with a challenging away fixture. Gasperini must manage two significant absences: Mile Svilar is sidelined by a fracture to the fifth digit of his hand, and Bryan Cristante is unavailable. Pierluigi Gollini takes the goalkeeping role in Svilar's place. Wesley and Donyell Malen have recovered from their previous issues and are available. Marten de Roon is set to partner Manu Koné in midfield following Cristante's absence. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Pellegrini; Malen. The referee is Fabbri from Ravenna, with Imperiale and Baccini as assistants, Sozza as fourth official, Gariglio on VAR and Abisso as assistant VAR. Como deploy a 4-2-3-1: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; Diao, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas, under manager Fabregas.

Fabio Capello has highlighted Donyell Malen as the key threat for Como ahead of Roma's Serie A sixth-round fixture at 12:30 on 11 October. The former Roma manager analysed the forward's qualities in La Gazzetta dello Sport, warning Como's defenders that Malen will be extremely difficult to contain. "The centre-back who faces Malen—Ramon or Chalobah—must be completely focused and very reactive, because today the Dutchman is unmarked," Capello said. "He has everything: a sense of goal, speed in ball control, power. He is never still. He is also clever, knows how to exploit any ball. In the box he reminds me of Paolo Rossi, with a more powerful physique. Some movements could evoke Ronaldo the phenomenon, though he himself was far more powerful. Above all, Malen always shoots and from every position. Great job by Gasperini to transform him into a centre-forward. When Roma has the ball, he always puts the attackers in motion."