Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 13 October, and Gian Piero Gasperini's reaction—a closed fist, almost a celebration—captured a fundamental shift in how the club now operates under his management. After Donyell Malen's red card reduced Roma to ten men, Gasperini abandoned his trademark attacking approach. Instead of pushing for a winner and accepting the risks that come with aggressive football, he lowered the team's centre of gravity, surrendered possession, filled defensive spaces, and transformed the match into a test of endurance. In the final quarter, Como held 83.8% possession while Roma managed just 16.2%—numbers that starkly contradict Gasperini's usual philosophy but perfectly matched what the moment demanded.
This marks a significant maturation for a squad hunting consistency over a long season. Gasperini's football has always been built on the principle of going forward, seeking another goal, and committing bodies to the opponent's half regardless of risk. At Como, those conditions no longer existed, and the coach showed the clarity to accept reality rather than force it. Roma defended the result with order and lucidity—a far cry from the same stadium a year earlier, when numerical disadvantage had exposed defensive fragility. The broader lesson applies to any team aiming to stay in contention for an entire campaign: not every match can be dominated, especially within a fixture schedule demanding play every three days. There will be afternoons requiring victory through attack, and others where the points come from the ability to suffer.
The first half had seen Roma play aggressively and vertically, probably more dangerous than Como itself. Malen's expulsion simply imposed a different match, and Gasperini possessed the tactical awareness to switch accordingly. This is the evolution: not a less ambitious Roma, but one capable of recognizing when the maximum possible outcome is no longer victory but simply avoiding defeat. Even points gained in such circumstances accumulate to heavy weight across a season. That closed fist at the Sinigaglia—Como's stadium—reflected a growing awareness: Gasperini is building a Roma that wants to command matches, but increasingly knows how to survive when it cannot. For a squad targeting a deep run, that may be a leap in quality far more valuable than what any single 0–0 draw suggests.
Story Coverage4 sources on this story
Roma drew 0–0 at Como on October 13, a result that showcased a significant tactical shift under Gian Piero Gasperini. After Donyell Malen's red card reduced Roma to ten men in the second half, Gasperini abandoned his trademark attacking approach and instead prioritized defensive solidity. GialloRossi.net reports that in the final quarter, Como held 83.8% possession while Roma managed just 16.2%—a stark contrast to Gasperini's usual philosophy but perfectly suited to the circumstances. Gasperini's closed fist celebration at the final whistle reflected his approval of the team's ability to secure a point despite numerical disadvantage, marking what the outlet describes as a "fundamental shift" toward maturity and consistency across a long season.
Gasperini praised Paulo Dybala's performance in particular, saying the forward was "extraordinary" even after Roma went down to ten men, "giving breathing room" and remaining "continuous for all 90 minutes." The coach also defended Malen's dismissal, disputing its severity and criticizing the use of frame-by-frame analysis to adjudicate fouls, arguing there was "no intentionality" in the challenge. Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini received praise for his composure with the ball at his feet and distribution. Meanwhile, Como manager Cesc Fabregas called it "the best match I have played against Gasperini," though he lamented his side's lack of precision in front of goal and identified missing striker Gianluca Kean as a factor.
Looking ahead, Gasperini acknowledged the difficulty of Roma's next fixture against Real Madrid, describing them as "a team of incredible champions." Luca Fatiga, a former assistant to José Mourinho, told Retesport he would not rule out a draw against Madrid, backing Roma to compete and urging faith in Gasperini's leadership.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Un pugno chiuso, quasi un’esultanza, dopo uno 0-0. Per capire quanto stia cambiando la Roma di Gian Piero Gasperini forse basta partire dall’immagine con cui si è chiusa la partita di Como. Il tecnico non festeggiava il pareggio in sé, ma il modo in cui la sua squadra era riuscita a conquistarlo:…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.
