Como–Roma title race clash: Dybala faces Paz as Svilar injury strikes

Pietro Vierchowod, who won the Serie A title with Roma in the 1982–83 season after five years at Como, has given a detailed interview ahead of today's match between the two clubs at the Sinigaglia. The former defender, a double ex of the fixture, spoke about facing Donyell Malen in defence, recalled his glorious career arc, and offered his prediction for the game. Vierchowod played just one season at Roma but captured the Scudetto, operating in a defensive system unlike anything else in Italian football at the time. He explained: "I did the entire defence alone. Roma was the first Italian team to play a zonal system. The other defenders pushed up, I stayed back with the goalkeeper. If I crossed the halfway line, Liedholm would shout at me: 'Pietro, go back!' I scored 20 goals in Serie A, but none at Roma. I wasn't even allowed to try." He also recalled an early dressing-room clash: before his debut, he put on his match shirt only for Liedholm to become angry, telling him: "What have you done? Let's hope nothing happens to you." The manager distributed the shirts himself as a superstition. On his time at Como, Vierchowod remembered his rare youth selection for the 1950 World Cup in Uruguay as his finest memory. He has followed Como's rise from lower leagues to the Champions League with amazement, noting: "The city went mad" last season. Asked whom he would choose today between the two clubs if he were 25, he said: "Rome is the capital. The people are extraordinary, otherworldly things. The stadium is magical. Como is my home—I've lived here 40 years, I feel always on holiday, I cycle around. I love it now, but as a young man the big city is better." On the match itself, Vierchowod said: "I hope for a draw, I can't choose. And I want few goals, because watching defences flutter makes me suffer too much. I'd like a 1–1. A 4–4 isn't football, it's just a heap of mistakes." He also expressed his delight at both clubs now in the Champions League: "It's beautiful. Roma has been away a long time; for Como it's a baptism. The idea that Manchester United and PSG will arrive on the lake is incredible."

Roma face Como on matchday 8 without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has suffered a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot sustained in training and will be sidelined for a month — a costly absence given Gasperini's fixture list includes Real Madrid, Napoli and Manchester United among other heavyweight opponents. Pierluigi Gollini will start in his place after nine months without a match and two years without a Serie A appearance, his last coming on 5 October 2024. The tactical matchup pits Paulo Dybala against Como's Nico Paz, two Argentine left-footed talents whose contest takes on symbolic weight in the week Leo Messi announced his retirement from international football. A decade ago, Messi said of Dybala: "He is a phenomenon and will have a great future." That future is already present for Paz, who scored in Tuesday's Argentina farewell match and is a candidate to inherit Messi's number 10. Roma will deploy Dybala in partnership with Donyell Malen as they seek to bounce back from defeats, while Como manager Fabregas looks to erase the memory of a loss to Frosinone three weeks ago.

Lorenzo Pellegrini holds a slight edge over Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora in Gasperini's selection for today's match at Como, with the attacking midfielder spot the key tactical question before the side faces Real Madrid. Gasperini is ready to rotate his offensive resources across the trequarti, where Pellegrini is favoured alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in a fluid attacking setup. At centre-back, Evan N'Dicka is the preferred option over Leonardo Balerdi, while Konstantinos Koulierakis is unavailable after suffering a contusion on international duty but will return to the squad from tomorrow onwards. On the flanks, Gasperini intends to keep faith with the pairing of Nahuel Molina and Wesley.

Roma prepare to face Como after the international break with Gian Piero Gasperini contending with significant absences. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar is sidelined and will miss the entire run of matches until the next international pause, while Bryan Cristante remains injured. Konstantinos Koulierakis is also unavailable due to a contusion, leaving the manager stretched in key areas as the campaign resumes and the title race intensifies. The tactical picture remains fluid across the available reports. Pierluigi Gollini will deputise in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive line in a three-man system. Marten de Roon is expected to start in midfield, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is favoured over both Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield slots. The formation varies between configurations, with some reports suggesting a 3-4-2-1 shape featuring Paulo Dybala and Pellegrini behind Donyell Malen, while others propose a 3-4-1-2 with Pellegrini in a deeper midfield role supporting Dybala and Malen in attack. Nahuel Molina and Wesley feature as wing-backs across most predictions, with Manu Koné anchoring the midfield. The competing lineups reflect ongoing debate among observers about Gasperini's preferred balance between defensive security and attacking thrust, particularly given the personnel constraints imposed by injury.

Roma will face Como in the Serie A sixth round at 12:30 on Saturday. Lorenzo Pellegrini is expected to return to the starting XI after recent absence, according to Italian newspaper line-ups. The leading outlets Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, and Corriere dello Sport project Roma in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Pellegrini deployed in an attacking midfield role alongside Paulo Dybala, who will lead the line with Donyell Malen. Gazzetta and Corriere della Sera's predicted XI places Pellegrini and Dybala as the two attacking midfielders behind centre-forward Malen, while Il Messaggero and Corriere dello Sport see Pellegrini as a single playmaker in a 3-4-1-2 shape with Dybala and Malen paired in attack. Defence and midfield remain consistent across all predictions: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso at centre-back; Nahuel Molina and Wesley as wing-backs (or Emanuele Lulli on the left in Corriere dello Sport's formation); Marten de Roon and Manu Koné anchoring midfield.

Roma travel to Como for a Serie A clash with Champions League implications after the international break, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini facing a significant injury crisis. Mile Svilar will miss all matches until the next break, forcing Pierluigi Gollini into goal. Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis are also unavailable, with Marten de Roon stepping in to cover the midfielder's absence. Lorenzo Pellegrini appears to have won the main selection battle, with the attacking midfielder preferred over both Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a central attacking role. The squad selections reveal competing tactical approaches across Italian newspapers. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera both favour a 3-4-2-1 shape with Pellegrini partnering Paulo Dybala in a two-man attacking unit behind Donyell Malen as the striker, and Nahuel Molina at right-back. The Corriere dello Sport and Il Messaggero lean toward a 3-4-1-2 with Pellegrini sitting deeper in the number-ten role, though they differ on the fullback choice—the Corriere prefer Emanuele Lulli, while the Messaggero backs Molina. Tuttosport aligns with the Gazzetta formation. The defensive spine remains constant across all predicted lineups: Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso at centre-back, with Wesley at left-back and Manu Koné alongside de Roon in midfield. The uncertainty centres on Molina's selection at right-back, with Lulli still hopeful of inclusion, and the precise attacking configuration behind the striker—whether Pellegrini operates in a two-man partnership or drops into midfield cover.

Roma prepare to face Como after the international break with Gian Piero Gasperini contending with significant absences. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar is sidelined and will miss the entire run of matches until the next international pause, while Bryan Cristante remains injured. Konstantinos Koulierakis is also unavailable due to a contusion, leaving the manager stretched in key areas as the campaign resumes and the title race intensifies. The tactical picture remains fluid across the available reports. Pierluigi Gollini will deputise in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive line in a three-man system. Marten de Roon is expected to start in midfield, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is favoured over both Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield slots. The formation varies between configurations, with some reports suggesting a 3-4-2-1 shape featuring Paulo Dybala and Pellegrini behind Donyell Malen, while others propose a 3-4-1-2 with Pellegrini in a deeper midfield role supporting Dybala and Malen in attack. Nahuel Molina and Wesley feature as wing-backs across most predictions, with Manu Koné anchoring the midfield. The competing lineups reflect ongoing debate among observers about Gasperini's preferred balance between defensive security and attacking thrust, particularly given the personnel constraints imposed by injury.

Roma will face Como in the Serie A sixth round at 12:30 on Saturday. Lorenzo Pellegrini is expected to return to the starting XI after recent absence, according to Italian newspaper line-ups. The leading outlets Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, and Corriere dello Sport project Roma in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Pellegrini deployed in an attacking midfield role alongside Paulo Dybala, who will lead the line with Donyell Malen. Gazzetta and Corriere della Sera's predicted XI places Pellegrini and Dybala as the two attacking midfielders behind centre-forward Malen, while Il Messaggero and Corriere dello Sport see Pellegrini as a single playmaker in a 3-4-1-2 shape with Dybala and Malen paired in attack. Defence and midfield remain consistent across all predictions: Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso at centre-back; Nahuel Molina and Wesley as wing-backs (or Emanuele Lulli on the left in Corriere dello Sport's formation); Marten de Roon and Manu Koné anchoring midfield.

Atalanta are preparing to tie down striker Gianluca Scamacca with a contract extension to 2030, after he remained with the Bergamo club despite Roma's interest this summer. Head coach Gasperini had wanted to reunite with Scamacca at Roma, where he could have filled the role of backup to Donyell Malen. Atalanta never seriously considered selling him, viewing him as a cornerstone of their attacking unit. The 26-year-old has established himself as essential to the Bergamo side's attacking plans. According to reports, Atalanta are now moving to protect their investment and secure his future by extending his current deal, with the new contract set to run until 2030.

Roma prepare to face Como after the international break with Gian Piero Gasperini contending with significant absences. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar is sidelined and will miss the entire run of matches until the next international pause, while Bryan Cristante remains injured. Konstantinos Koulierakis is also unavailable due to a contusion, leaving the manager stretched in key areas as the campaign resumes and the title race intensifies. The tactical picture remains fluid across the available reports. Pierluigi Gollini will deputise in goal, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive line in a three-man system. Marten de Roon is expected to start in midfield, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is favoured over both Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield slots. The formation varies between configurations, with some reports suggesting a 3-4-2-1 shape featuring Paulo Dybala and Pellegrini behind Donyell Malen, while others propose a 3-4-1-2 with Pellegrini in a deeper midfield role supporting Dybala and Malen in attack. Nahuel Molina and Wesley feature as wing-backs across most predictions, with Manu Koné anchoring the midfield. The competing lineups reflect ongoing debate among observers about Gasperini's preferred balance between defensive security and attacking thrust, particularly given the personnel constraints imposed by injury.

Pierluigi Gollini steps into Roma's first-choice goalkeeper role today at Como after Mile Svilar suffered a stress fracture to his little toe. Svilar is not expected to return before 21 November, when Roma face Parma after the next international break, leaving Gollini to provide continuity through a demanding fixture run rather than a short-term stand-in. Gian Piero Gasperini has shown no hesitation in backing his goalkeeper. At the pre-match press conference, the head coach said: "He has always trained well and must have everyone's confidence." The choice carries weight because Gollini and Gasperini worked together at Atalanta, giving the goalkeeper an existing understanding of the coach's tactical demands. For Roma's defence — Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso and others — the transition will demand new communication patterns, adjusted timing on exits and altered management of space, since Gasperini asks his goalkeepers to operate deep in their half and accept frequent individual duels. Gollini's last Serie A appearance came on 5 October 2024, when he defended Genoa's goal against Atalanta under Gasperini. He joined Roma in January 2025 and has since played just one official match—against Panathinaikos in European competition—where he was exposed for the Greek goal. Svilar had kept him almost entirely out of the picture until now. Roma enter a sequence of nine matches in 27 days, with league and Champions League fixtures interlocking without respite. This is no brief absence for Gollini to manage; he must guarantee security to a squad accustomed to Svilar as a core reference point. The real test begins today at Como. Gollini has long awaited his chance, though likely not imagined it would arrive at the most congested point of autumn, with Roma losing their number one at precisely the wrong moment.

Roma travel to Como for a Serie A clash with Champions League implications after the international break, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini facing a significant injury crisis. Mile Svilar will miss all matches until the next break, forcing Pierluigi Gollini into goal. Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis are also unavailable, with Marten de Roon stepping in to cover the midfielder's absence. Lorenzo Pellegrini appears to have won the main selection battle, with the attacking midfielder preferred over both Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a central attacking role. The squad selections reveal competing tactical approaches across Italian newspapers. The Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera both favour a 3-4-2-1 shape with Pellegrini partnering Paulo Dybala in a two-man attacking unit behind Donyell Malen as the striker, and Nahuel Molina at right-back. The Corriere dello Sport and Il Messaggero lean toward a 3-4-1-2 with Pellegrini sitting deeper in the number-ten role, though they differ on the fullback choice—the Corriere prefer Emanuele Lulli, while the Messaggero backs Molina. Tuttosport aligns with the Gazzetta formation. The defensive spine remains constant across all predicted lineups: Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso at centre-back, with Wesley at left-back and Manu Koné alongside de Roon in midfield. The uncertainty centres on Molina's selection at right-back, with Lulli still hopeful of inclusion, and the precise attacking configuration behind the striker—whether Pellegrini operates in a two-man partnership or drops into midfield cover.