Gasperini backs Malen to play as centre-forward, not on the wing

Pierluigi Gollini spoke after Como's 0–0 draw with Roma on 11 October, reflecting on his first Serie A appearance in two years. The goalkeeper said he had approached the fixture with focused intensity, aware of the long absence from top-flight football. He praised Mile Svilar's professionalism and their relationship, saying: "I told Mile to stay calm and recover; we are all waiting for him. He is a great professional, we have an excellent relationship." Svilar had encouraged him before the match, telling him: "It is your moment, enjoy it." Gollini's return marks a significant moment for Roma's goalkeeping department. The 29-year-old has built a career worthy of respect, and he framed his opportunity as a reward for years of dedicated work. He acknowledged that doubts were natural after such a lengthy absence from Serie A competition, but insisted his mental preparation had been thorough and his confidence high during the week leading into the fixture. On his performance, Gollini credited mental clarity for his distribution and composure. "When you are in good shape mentally, everything follows," he said. "I felt good in the match. I felt fluid too, despite it being such a long time. Mental state makes the difference." He was questioned about a possible contact between Wesley and Como's Diao but had not seen the incident clearly from his position on the pitch. Regarding his positioning, he reflected: "Of course there would be doubts after two years without playing a Serie A match. I played the match in my head this week. During the match I felt good. This helped me."

Gian Piero Gasperini defended Roma's 0–0 draw at Como and praised Paulo Dybala's performance after Donyell Malen's dismissal left the team playing more than 30 minutes with ten men. Gasperini said: "Credo che Dybala sia stato straordinario anche una volta in 10 nel secondo tempo a ripulire delle situazioni che non erano facili in inferiorità. Lui come i suoi compagni hanno fatto una gara di grande spessore. Non ricordo palloni persi, forte nello spunto peccato per l'occasione del primo tempo in cui poteva fare gol. Anche oggi prestazione straordinaria." The coach kept Dybala on the pitch rather than introducing Santiago Castro, saying the forward "gave us breathing room" and was "continuous for all 90 minutes." Gasperini disputed the severity of Malen's red card, criticizing the use of frame-by-frame analysis to adjudicate fouls. He argued there was "a foul repeated on him" beforehand and said: "Non c'è di sicuro l'intenzionalità… Questo è stato un episodio che ha imbruttito la partita, così lo è diventato un po' meno." When shown a still image of the incident, Gasperini became animated: "Fermando il fotogramma è facile! Il calcio è fatto di azioni così si può giustificare tutto Non c'è nessuna voglia e di fare male da parte di Malen, è ora di smetterla con i fotogrammi perché falsificano la realtà! Adesso si vede un calcio più vero, non torniamo indietro von questi fotogrammi assurdi." Gasperini also praised goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, saying he "was good with his feet, attentive and precise," adding that "he is a goalkeeper who will know how to replace Svilar very well." Looking ahead, Gasperini acknowledged the difficulty of Roma's next fixture: "Il Real è una squadra di campioni incredibili, sia in campo che in panchina. Affrontiamo una delle squadre più forti in Europa." He reflected on José Mourinho's legacy at the club but noted his current squad is "another type of team" and that "the lads are giving me lots of satisfaction."

Como manager Cesc Fabregas reflected on his side's 0–0 draw against Roma, describing it as an unusual stalemate between two attacking teams. Speaking to DAZN after the match, Fabregas said: "Sometimes football cannot be explained. We are two offensive and propositive teams, a 0–0 is not normal. Perhaps after the red card the match changed, but it was a beautiful game between two teams that respected each other. Both wanted victory. To play against Roma you need plenty of personality, then tactics come in. We had the courage to play, especially 11 against 11 I think it's one of the best performances Como have put in against Roma since I've been here." Fabregas acknowledged regret over Como's failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage late in the contest. "We are in a growth process and did not know how to manage our superiority," he explained. "It required more patience and faster ball circulation. We did not concede any counterattacks with the extra man and that is not a given—when you push forward you risk being exposed defensively and it did not happen." He praised his team's defensive discipline, noting that they created chances for Douvikas, Diao and Nico Paz, though none found the net. On his tactical setup, Fabregas defended his choice to select Caqueret over Baturina. "Sometimes players deserve something. Today Caqueret deserved to play, it was my feeling. I must keep Max in, he is not on the Champions League list. Today was a very important match and I saw him playing very well." Fabregas also drew lessons from Inter's performance against Roma's coach Gasperini: "The best team for me, Inzaghi's Inter, did poorly against Gasperini; from there I must draw conclusions and start preparing matches. In this sense the squad pleased me a lot." On N'Dicka's defensive prowess, Fabregas observed: "N'Dicka is a general. I watch many Roma matches and, always being the last man against strong attackers, if you are not a phenomenon you cannot play like that." He also defended the red card decision as subjective: "It is a personal opinion, I can think different things too, they are points of view. As a player I was sent off in the same manner with a very similar foul; it depends on the dynamic. For me Wesley's red card against Diao was clearer. N'Dicka would never have taken him down, no doubt about it."

Donyell Malen has issued a public apology following his red card in Roma's match against Como. The Dutch forward was sent off in the second half for a foul on Kaiki at the Sinigaglia stadium. Malen posted on social media: "I apologise to the squad and the fans." The decision sparked debate, particularly because Roma had protested moments earlier for a foul committed against Malen himself that went unpunished. Rather than seeking justification or blaming others, Malen accepted responsibility for the incident. The gesture carries weight at Roma, especially for a player who has quickly endeared himself to supporters and become one of the main attacking references in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. The dismissal will carry immediate consequences: Malen will miss Roma's next fixture against Genoa before becoming available again. The incident underlines his importance to the team and the standards the club expects from its key players. Malen's response reflects a direct approach—addressing teammates and supporters without excuses or deflection. He will be suspended for the Genoa match, after which he aims to return and resume the goalscoring form that has already made a significant mark on his Roma career.

Roma earned a valuable point at Como despite being affected by a refereeing error, with Gasperini keeping his side compact and organized. For more than 85 minutes, the coach kept Paulo Dybala on the pitch as the focal point of the attack. Shortly after Donyell Malen was sent off, Santiago Castro removed his bib, ready to enter the match in what appeared to be Dybala's replacement. Gasperini changed his mind. "He was attracting the ball, helping us breathe," Gasperini explained after the match. "It was him who convinced me to keep him on." Dybala's ability to win possession cleanly and help Roma escape the press proved crucial at that moment, and the coach recognized the tactical need. Castro will have his opportunity coming up against Genoa, partly due to Malen's absence.

Donyell Malen's dismissal in Roma's draw at Como has become a focal point of debate, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini arguing that referee Fabbri should have blown for a foul before the contact that led to the red card. Gasperini said: "Basta con i fotogrammi" (enough with the stills), emphasizing a straightforward point: had Fabbri whistled for a foul first, nothing would have happened. The decision proved costly, denying Roma the chance to return from Como with three points. Malen faces a one-match ban, possibly two. The dismissal has invited comparison to a second-round match between Como and Parma, where Caqueret committed what the article describes as a far graver foul but received only a yellow card from Colli. The inconsistency highlights what appears to be a disparity in officiating standards. Como manager Fabregas made no public comment on that incident. Roma delivered a spirited performance despite the numerical disadvantage, competing on level terms and holding firm to the final whistle. The focus now shifts to their next fixture: a meeting with Real Madrid.