# AS Roma 0–0 Como: Gollini Shines as Substitute Goalkeeper Eases Injury Concerns
Roma earned a hard-fought 0–0 draw at Como on matchday six despite playing most of the second half with ten men, with goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini delivering an assured deputising performance in his first league start for the club. Mile Svilar was ruled out for approximately one month after sustaining a stress fracture to the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during a training session on 2 October, forcing Gian Piero Gasperini to turn to Gollini just days after the injury was confirmed. The goalkeeper, who had barely featured in two years of competitive football before his arrival at Roma in January 2025, responded with what Italian outlets widely praised as a commanding display.
Gollini made several decisive interventions, earning ratings of 7 to 7.5 across six major Italian newspapers. He excelled on low exits—a hallmark of Svilar's game—arriving early to thwart Nico Paz's chipped attempts in the opening minutes and the 72nd minute, while also producing a crucial save against Como's Caqueret when he was played through on goal in the first half. The goalkeeper demonstrated composure in his distribution and decision-making when leaving his line, showing no hesitation or nervousness despite his long absence. Speaking after the match, Gollini reflected on the mental challenge: "This match I played it during the entire week at a mental level. The doubt of someone who hasn't played in two years risked weighing on me, but I built my performance through daily work at Trigoria: hammering, training, waiting, being ready." He added that training alongside Svilar daily had raised his standards: "Training with Mile every day raises the level—we try to push each other." Svilar, Roma's first-choice goalkeeper, had encouraged Gollini before kickoff, telling him: "Go, it's your moment, enjoy it and have fun."
The match turned decisively when Donyell Malen was sent off by referee Fabbri in the 54th minute for a challenge on Kaiki that Italian outlets found excessive, though Malen's contact appeared unintentional. Roma had dominated the opening 45 minutes and created several clear chances—Paulo Dybala fired weakly from close range, Lorenzo Pellegrini struck the post with a long-range effort, and Malen had blazed over after being released in the box—but could not convert their superiority into a goal. After the dismissal, Como pressed for a breakthrough as Roma retreated into defence, though the hosts could not create decisive opportunities to break the deadlock. Douvikas headed wide and fired past the far post, while Jesús Rodríguez's late effort missed the mark. The result marked Roma's first 0–0 draw of the season and extended their unbeaten run, though it left them without a win in open play.
Evan N'Dicka proved imperious at centre-back, earning ratings of 6.5 to 7.5 across the major outlets, while Gianluca Mancini recovered from an early lapse in concentration to anchor the back four alongside Mario Hermoso. When Hermoso departed in the 59th minute through injury, Leonardo Balerdi seamlessly continued the work. Gasperini made his substitutions strategically as Roma faced the numerical disadvantage, introducing Balerdi, Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli to protect his side. Marten de Roon marshalled the midfield with authority after Bryan Cristante's absence, earning a 7 for consistency, while Manu Koné earned a 6 but appeared not at his sharpest. Wesley battled constantly on the left flank, and Nahuel Molina, who struggled with precision and received 5.5, was later replaced by Devyne Rensch in the 81st minute, who impressed on arrival
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