Gasperini and Massara's relationship never took off: the knots behind the breakdown

Mile Svilar has suffered a stress fracture to his little finger and will not return before 21 November, when Roma face Parma. Pierluigi Gollini takes over in goal for a goalkeeper who has otherwise served as a squad presence during his first season and a half at the club, having played only once — against Panathinaikos, when he was at fault for a Greek goal. Gollini's spell in the first team comes as coach Gian Piero Gasperini sends a signal to the ownership. The Friedkin Group is selling Everton and intends to shift focus increasingly toward Roma and ice hockey's NHL. Gasperini is urging them to honour that commitment with direct involvement. He believes the squad can achieve something significant this season and is also preparing for the club's centenary year. Gasperini made his case explicit in recent remarks. "A society is important when the ownership is involved," he said. He then revealed: "With the Friedkin we haven't spoken in a month." The message is clear: the manager wants greater presence from ownership as Roma push for success.

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."

Roma travel to Como for a Serie A match against Como at the Sinigaglia on 11 October at 12:30, marking the club's return to league action after a three-week break. The away section is sold out, and Roma have confirmed that no additional tickets will be available for purchase on matchday. Roma's official statement stressed that supporters should only travel to Como if they already hold a valid ticket. The club has recommended fans make the journey only with a legitimate match ticket, in accordance with local and public safety authority directives. No tickets will be sold at the ground on the day of the fixture. The stadium gates will open at 10:30. Access to the stadium will be permitted exclusively to those who already possess a ticket.

Donyell Malen received his first career red card in Roma's match against Como after a tackle on Kaiki. The Dutch forward protested that a foul had not been called on him moments earlier, but the dismissal stood and was not overturned. He will miss Roma's next fixture against Genoa on Saturday but will be available for the match against Napoli. The suspension stands at one match for serious foul play. Luca Marelli, speaking on DAZN, confirmed the one-game ban and analysed the incident: "It will be one match's suspension for serious foul play. There are all the elements for a red card—the knee is close, there is great speed and the studs are exposed. The fact that Malen did not fully catch Kaiki cannot be a justification; in fact we should be grateful that the Como player was not fully hit by Malen's challenge. There is no doubt about the red card; the referee and VAR made the decision very quickly." Under the laws of the game, "a tackle or challenge that endangers an opponent's safety or is committed with disproportionate force or brutality must be punished as serious foul play. Any player who, when challenging for the ball, strikes an opponent from the front, side or behind using one or both legs with disproportionate force or in a manner that endangers an opponent's safety, is guilty of serious foul play." Malen will return to lead Roma's attack on Wednesday in the fixture against Real Madrid.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a Man of the Match performance in Roma's visit to Como, easing fears that had gripped the club since Mile Svilar's injury sidelined the goalkeeper for a month. With nine Serie A fixtures still to play before the next international break, concern had mounted over a goalkeeper who had barely featured in recent months and had been absent from the league for over two years. Gollini answered with more than saves; he transmitted security to his teammates from the opening moments. Within seven minutes, his decisive early exit to meet Nico Paz's attempted chip allayed those doubts immediately. Throughout the match, Gollini remained alert and reactive: a low claim on Caqueret in the first half, tipping Paz's effort over the bar in the 72nd minute, and another anticipatory intervention five minutes later. His composure particularly shone in his distribution and decision-making when to leave his line—qualities that often reveal the mental state of a goalkeeper returning from an extended absence. He showed no hesitation or nervousness, choosing correctly almost every time he abandoned the goal line. Gollini maintained this concentration even as Donyell Malen's expulsion forced Roma into a prolonged period of defensive strain. The article cautions against swinging from complete distrust to exultation after a single 90-minute showing, as it would have been unfair to judge Gollini inadequate before he had played at all. Gian Piero Gasperini, who knows Gollini from their time together at Atalanta, understands his qualities and must now help him rediscover the consistency that only competitive football can restore. Svilar remains the undisputed first choice and his return will be essential. Yet Como has underscored a simpler truth: possessing an extraordinary number one does not necessarily mean the backup is unreliable. Eight further matches lie ahead before the next break—Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo—in which continuity, reliability and concentration will determine whether this was merely a fine afternoon by the lake or the start of a convincing run.

Donyell Malen received his first red card of his career in Roma's match against Como. Under the sporting justice code, the suspension he faces will depend on the specific circumstances and regulations governing such dismissals.

Roma's sporting director addressed the media ahead of the sixth Serie A round at Como, expressing disappointment over key injuries while backing the squad to respond. D'Amico confirmed that both Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante will miss the fixture through injury, describing them as long-term absences that will sideline the players for multiple matches. "Sicuramente è un dispiacere perdere un giocatore importante come Svilar, ma anche Cristante. Sono infortuni un po' lunghi e quindi salteranno tante partite," he said, but added confidence in the available squad. "Però tutti i ragazzi che fanno parte della rosa hanno grande fiducia da parte del club e dell'allenatore, quindi credo che per Pierluigi come per Marten sia una motivazione e non un peso." D'Amico praised the work done over the summer and highlighted the importance of squad depth despite the absences. He stressed that renewal contracts for players out of contract carried the same strategic weight as new signings. The director also expressed optimism about Lorenzo Pellegrini's role going forward, having worked through a difficult injury period during the off-season. "Per noi rinnovarlo è stato come un acquisto, così come tutti gli altri che erano in scadenza," he explained. Ahead of the Como fixture, D'Amico outlined Roma's expectations: "Sì, i principi delle due squadre sono un po' diversi. Ci aspettiamo una partita bella tra due squadre forti. Il tempo di prepararla è stato poco perchè abbiamo avuto tantissimi giocatori in nazionale, però ci sono mesi di lavoro importante alle spalle. Ci auguriamo che sia una partita bella, uno spot per tutto il sistema calcio italiano."

Antonio Tempestilli, the former Roma and Como player who spent twelve seasons equally divided between the two clubs from 1981 to 1993, has assessed the tactical battle ahead between the two sides as Roma prepare for their fixture at Como. Speaking on the eve of the match, Tempestilli weighed the strengths of both coaches: "Entrambi. Credo che si rispettino e si remano a vicenda: sono due che amano attaccare, giocare a viso aperto; fanno un gran calcio seppure con principi diversi; proprio per questo mi aspetto una gran partita" — both Fabregas and Gasperini respect each other and love to attack and play openly, making great football with different principles, which is why he expects a great match. On Roma's form, Tempestilli stressed the challenge of the international break: "Ti può dare qualche problemino con tanti giocatori fuori, in giro con le nazionali: bisogna vedere se c'è stato affaticamento, sperare che siano tornati tutti a posto…però vale per tutti, a cominciare dal Como. Ora bisogna riaccendere il tasto della mentalità che la Roma ha mostrato fino alla sosta. Gasperini in questo senso è una garanzia." The long pause poses risks with players scattered across nations, but the same applies to Como. Roma must reignite the mentality Gasperini has instilled before the break. On Leonardo Balerdi's emergence as a regular, Tempestilli noted: "Direi che come definizione ci può stare, viste le caratteristiche; quando Gasperini lo ha paragonato a Baresi chiaramente voleva intendere questo. È migliorabile sotto alcuni aspetti e con il lavoro a Trigoria lo sta già facendo, ma la tempra e il piglio battagliero mi piacciono molto." He described Balerdi as having an 1980s-style defender's character, and said having multiple centre-back options is a fortune for Gasperini given the high number of matches ahead. Regarding Gianluca Mancini's slow start, Tempestilli insisted the midfielder possesses the right mentality and experience to rediscover his leadership. On Lorenzo Pellegrini's potential involvement, Tempestilli said: "Gasperini sa valutare ogni particolare, a cominciare da condizione e motivazioni. Una cosa è certa: Pellegrini è un valore aggiunto, resta da porsi una domanda: che minutaggio ha nelle gambe?" Pellegrini is valuable added value, but his match fitness remains to be established. Looking ahead, Tempestilli cautioned against reading too much into any single result: "Troppo presto. Piedi per terra, perché il campionato è lungo. Al tempo stesso, una cosa possiamo permetterci di dirla: sognare è lecito." It is too early to identify an Inter challenger, he said, but dreaming is allowed.

Robinio Vaz has had limited playing time since joining Hull City on loan in August, with only eight minutes against Chelsea and twelve against Newcastle to his name so far this season, plus a subdued showing in the Curaçao Cup. The French midfielder has moved between benches at Marseille, Roma and now Hull City, where he arrived on a temporary deal with a buyout option. Vaz joined Roma in January on a €22 million transfer at the behest of Massara, but failed to win over head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who opted to send him out on loan rather than allow his valuation to diminish further. The club structured the deal as a €2 million loan fee coupled with a €30 million buyout clause for Hull City, which carries no performance or appearance conditions—it depends solely on the English club's judgment of the player. Despite injuries to Hull's Gelhardt and Ansah, Vaz has not broken into their starting hierarchy. The arrangement came at a time when Vaz also faced racist abuse on social media, prompting Hull City to issue a statement in his defence. The hope now, whether or not the buyout is triggered, is that the midfielder finds regular football in England and can rebuild his career after a difficult spell at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma's full-backs have become a cornerstone of Gian Piero Gasperini's push to the top of Serie A, a marked shift from last season when they proved problematic. Wesley and Nahuel Molina are now among the club's key strengths, and both will start when Roma resume the league campaign against Como, where they will face manager Fabregas. The turnaround reflects Gasperini's tactical evolution since arriving at the club: in his first season, Wesley was the only defender fully convincing on the flanks, while Zeki Çelik had to make do elsewhere. Now the picture is entirely different. Gasperini has uncovered Emanuele Lulli in the course of the season, and Molina has gradually built his fitness, delivering quality and assists to Roma's attacking phase. For the Como fixture, Gasperini plans to deploy Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. The selection reflects not just Roma's attacking ambitions but also Gasperini's defensive strategy: by using two attacking full-backs, he aims to stretch Como's wide players—Baturina on one flank and Diao on the other—and occupy them throughout the match. Wesley, the more naturally offensive of the pair, will be tasked with driving forward and supporting the build-up play. Molina is likely to carry greater defensive responsibility, balancing his own contributions with the need to contain Como's threats on the wing.

Gian Piero Gasperini will deploy Nahuel Molina and Wesley as twin wingers in Roma's visit to Como, harnessing simultaneous attacking thrust down both flanks to counter Cesc Fabregas's side. With Molina fully recovered and Wesley in continued form, Roma will field two genuine wide operators capable of delivering width, high pressing and chances for the attacking midfielders. The tactical choice targets Como's possession-based play built around Baturina and Diao's unpredictability; Molina and Wesley are instructed to close down Como's wide references and attacking midfielders immediately, forcing them away from build-up play into long balls. In possession, the overlapping runs of Molina and Wesley will create lateral chains with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, opening space for crosses and inside passes. Last season Roma's right wing relied solely on Wesley alongside the converted Zeki Çelik, but the club now possesses one of Serie A's strongest selections of wide midfielders. Gasperini's side has already created thirteen goalscoring actions from wide midfielders this season—second in the league behind Inter's fourteen. Wesley leads with seven goal contributions, followed by Molina on four and eighteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli, an academy product promoted to the first team, who has added two decisive contributions and demonstrates the depth of alternatives available on the flanks. A key feature of Gasperini's system is the tactical flexibility of both players. Wesley and Molina can interchange wings during matches without loss of effectiveness, alternating deep play and crosses with cuts inside on their stronger foot to link with the attacking midfielders. This constant switching prevents opposing defences from finding fixed reference points and allows Roma to vary attacking approaches throughout the game.

Zeki Çelik produced a costly error in Turkey's match against Italy in Bursa, clearing a corner kick directly to Alessandro Bastoni, who opened the scoring for the Azzurri. Italy dominated the fixture in a redemptive performance after losing to Belgium on Friday. Çelik's mistake was immediately seized upon by social media users, with Roma supporters among those criticising the defender's display. One Roma fan wrote: "La spazza Celik" (Çelik the sweeper), while others joked about whether a 'Çelik-cam' video would emerge—a reference to footage released by DAZN following Çelik's first friendly for Juventus. The Turkish international has endured a difficult start to his spell in Serie A, facing criticism not only from Roma fans but also from his country's supporters.