Como aim to prove themselves as Roma rivals

Roma travel to Como this weekend as Serie A resumes after a three-week international break, with the clash carrying direct implications for Champions League qualification. Historically, Roma's record against Como is strong overall—16 wins, 8 draws and 7 defeats—and the Giallorossi have won both recent meetings at the Olimpico: 2-1 in 2025 and 1-0 last season, when Wesley scored. Away at the Sinigaglia, however, the picture is starkly different. Since Como's return to Serie A, Roma have lost every fixture there, falling 2-0 and 2-1 in those contests. The last Roma victory away from home against Como stretches back 37 years. On 30 April 1989, Roma won 0-1 with a goal from Manfredonia in the 2nd minute; that match also featured a missed penalty from Giannini. A defeat also came in 2003, underlining Como's status as a venue where Roma have consistently struggled.

Roma trained on 7 October ahead of their Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October at 12:30 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Wesley and Malen trained partially with the squad during the session, while Cristante remained sidelined and will miss the Como match. Rodrigo Mora and Koné returned to Trigoria after completing their international commitments. Soulé, Castro and Balerdi are expected back tomorrow following the completion of their international fixtures.

AS Roma are building back squad depth ahead of Sunday's trip to Como. Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora returned to the capital on 7 October after international duty, while Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi are set to rejoin on 8 October following Argentina's commitments, including the farewell match of Lionel Messi with the national team. Donyell Malen and Wesley both participated in part of training alongside the main group for a second consecutive day, and both are available for the Sinigaglia fixture on Sunday at 12:30. Bryan Cristante, however, will not be in contention; he continues to manage a knee problem sustained during the international break. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has several days remaining to restore full squad continuity and finalise his selection for the weekend's encounter. The staggered returns mean Roma's preparations will stretch through the week, with the international window finally closing as players rejoin from their respective nations.