Como's Couto: Roma will be difficult, but we are prepared for a big match

Donyell Malen was sent off in the 53rd minute of Roma's match at Como after referee Fabbri deemed his challenge on Kaiki dangerously played. The Roma forward, pressured by two Como defenders, slid in to contest the ball in what he and the Roma bench felt was a legitimate tackle. Malen protested to fourth official Sozza, saying: "It's always a foul first, if you whistle the foul first I don't get sent off." Arbitral expert Luca Marelli offered a contrasting assessment of the red card. He acknowledged that Malen made contact with the ball using the inside of his right foot but criticised the manner of the challenge: "He came in badly, with his foot raised above the ankle and his knee extended, at speed. A genuinely dangerous intervention and the red card was correct." Roma and manager Bobby lodged strong protests with the fourth official over the decision.

Donyell Malen was sent off in the 52nd minute during Roma's Serie A match against Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in the sixth round of fixtures. After fouling Como defender Kaiki, Malen lost possession and was dismissed when he collided with the defender in attempting to recover the ball. Roma's players had protested moments earlier for a foul committed against Malen before the incident. Both Malen and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini displayed disbelief at the dismissal as the forward left the pitch. The match was refereed by Fabbri, with Imperiale and Baccini as assistants. Sozza served as fourth official, while Gariglio and Abisso operated as VAR and AVAR respectively.

Lorenzo Pellegrini marked his return to action with a milestone as Roma faced Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Serie A matchday 6. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini handed the captain his first start after six months out with injury, and the midfielder reached 350 appearances across all competitions for the club. The figure puts Pellegrini within striking distance of 12th place on Roma's all-time appearance list, held by Damiano Tommasi with 351 caps.