Gasperini versus Fabregas: another tactical chess match as Roma visit Como

Roma travel to Como on 11 October for the Serie A sixth-round fixture at 12.30 kickoff, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar sidelined by a training-ground injury that will keep him out for at least a month. Pierluigi Gollini will deputise in goal. Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the match. Beyond Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis are also absent through injury. The convoked players are: defenders Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis for Roma's Serie A visit to Como on 11 October, following the international break. Svilar will not return until after November's pause, while Cristante is targeting the Genoa match. Koulierakis, the centre-back, faces no serious injury and could be available for Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid. Italian goalkeeper Vasquez returns to the squad. Roma's full 24-player selection for Como reads: Vasquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi in defence; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora in midfield; and Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala in attack.

Paulo Dybala is two goals away from reaching 200 career goals across all the clubs he has played for, and Roma's away trip to Como offers a chance to achieve that landmark. The Argentine has 198 goals to his name and would need a brace at the Sinigaglia to reach the symbolic figure during the match on 10 October. Dybala has a proven record of scoring multiple goals in Serie A matches. He has managed at least two goals in 17 different league fixtures, a tally that includes hat-tricks. For Roma, he has scored braces against Parma and a hat-trick against Torino, in which he led the team to a 3–2 victory at the Olimpico with three well-taken goals. However, he is still searching for his first goal of the 2026-27 season, despite contributing to Roma's attacking play. The Como fixture represents both an important match for Roma's league campaign and a personal opportunity for Dybala to end his goalless run and move closer to the 200-goal milestone that has become an additional source of motivation.

Roma travel to Como on 11 October for the Serie A sixth-round fixture at 12.30 kickoff, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar sidelined by a training-ground injury that will keep him out for at least a month. Pierluigi Gollini will deputise in goal. Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the match. Beyond Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis are also absent through injury. The convoked players are: defenders Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis for Roma's Serie A visit to Como on 11 October, following the international break. Svilar will not return until after November's pause, while Cristante is targeting the Genoa match. Koulierakis, the centre-back, faces no serious injury and could be available for Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid. Italian goalkeeper Vasquez returns to the squad. Roma's full 24-player selection for Como reads: Vasquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi in defence; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora in midfield; and Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala in attack.

Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed that goalkeeper Mile Svilar will miss around a month of action following an injury sustained a week ago during training, but expressed confidence that Pierluigi Gollini can perform the role. Speaking at a press conference on the eve of Como's visit to Roma, Gasperini said Gollini has the quality to step in: "In his career perhaps I'm the only one who has made him play with continuity. He's an excellent second. Now he has the opportunity to play regularly. When I coached him at Genoa he reached being second in the national team for a couple of years. He has the ability, he's trained well these months. He must have everyone's confidence. Now he has the possibility to give continuity." Gasperini also confirmed that captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has fully recovered from his injury during the three-week international break. "Pellegrini is fine, these weeks have been very useful. He is recovered," the coach said. The squad was assembling gradually after the break, with Argentine players arriving last to train together for the first time yesterday. Gasperini stressed that Roma will play many fixtures in the coming period—nine matches in 27 days—allowing him to rotate players across all positions, including the external lanes where Wesley has performed strongly. Wesley was described as having played "extraordinary" against Inter, though Gasperini made clear these are personal assessments. On the defensive issues that have emerged early in the season, Gasperini said: "These are sometimes particular. Pay attention to them, but I am very satisfied with the goals we score in the first half, or the recoveries. We seek to maintain the good. Having conceded goals in the same situation at the start of the second half makes you think but in my opinion they were more individual situations than a team attitude." Midfielder Rodrigo Mora, recently arrived, will be available, as will Marten de Roon and Nahuel Molina—all of whom benefited from the break. Leonardo Balerdi departed during the break. Gasperini noted that 18 outfield players plus Gollini are in movement, with 16 set to play tomorrow. On Roma's ownership, Gasperini said: "They do what they think is most appropriate. To make a squad like I think important, I believe a big society also becomes that with an ownership close by. I came here speaking with Dan and Ryan and this convinced me that important work could be done. I hope we are still in that idea and that vision." The coach dismissed suggestions that Roma's environment is limiting, saying: "I don't have to bring anyone over to my side. Enthusiasm is contagious for me and the squad. Playing in the middle of this passion with a stadium always full is something favourable and positive."

Roma travel to Como on 11 October for the Serie A sixth-round fixture at 12.30 kickoff, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar sidelined by a training-ground injury that will keep him out for at least a month. Pierluigi Gollini will deputise in goal. Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the match. Beyond Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis are also absent through injury. The convoked players are: defenders Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis for Roma's Serie A visit to Como on 11 October, following the international break. Svilar will not return until after November's pause, while Cristante is targeting the Genoa match. Koulierakis, the centre-back, faces no serious injury and could be available for Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid. Italian goalkeeper Vasquez returns to the squad. Roma's full 24-player selection for Como reads: Vasquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi in defence; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora in midfield; and Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala in attack.

Mile Svilar's availability for Roma's Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October is uncertain after he sustained a finger injury during the match against Inter. The goalkeeper has not trained with the squad in recent days, and optimism has diminished as the match approaches. Pierluigi Gollini, who arrived in January 2025, stands ready to deputise. Since his arrival in the capital, Gollini has played only once — against Panathinaikos in the final matchday of last season's UEFA Europa League group phase. Gian Piero Gasperini will make his final decision at today's training session. Roma face tactical decisions elsewhere ahead of the 12:30 kickoff on matchday six. Behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, one of Rodrigo Mora, Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will operate in the attacking midfield role. Marten de Roon will replace the injured Bryan Cristante in the centre of midfield, partnering Manu Koné. Wesley lines up at left back, with a contest between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli for the right flank. The back three consists of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The squad departs for Como today.

Roma travel to Como on 11 October for the Serie A sixth-round fixture at 12.30 kickoff, with goalkeeper Mile Svilar sidelined by a training-ground injury that will keep him out for at least a month. Pierluigi Gollini will deputise in goal. Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the match. Beyond Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis are also absent through injury. The convoked players are: defenders Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi; midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora; forwards Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala.

Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out Mile Svilar, Bryan Cristante and Konstantinos Koulierakis for Roma's Serie A visit to Como on 11 October, following the international break. Svilar will not return until after November's pause, while Cristante is targeting the Genoa match. Koulierakis, the centre-back, faces no serious injury and could be available for Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid. Italian goalkeeper Vasquez returns to the squad. Roma's full 24-player selection for Como reads: Vasquez, Giorgio De Marzi and Pierluigi Gollini in goal; Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi, Wesley, Emanuele Lulli and Daniele Ghilardi in defence; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marten de Roon, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli and Rodrigo Mora in midfield; and Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala in attack.

Paulo Dybala is two goals away from reaching 200 career goals across all the clubs he has played for, and Roma's away trip to Como offers a chance to achieve that landmark. The Argentine has 198 goals to his name and would need a brace at the Sinigaglia to reach the symbolic figure during the match on 10 October. Dybala has a proven record of scoring multiple goals in Serie A matches. He has managed at least two goals in 17 different league fixtures, a tally that includes hat-tricks. For Roma, he has scored braces against Parma and a hat-trick against Torino, in which he led the team to a 3–2 victory at the Olimpico with three well-taken goals. However, he is still searching for his first goal of the 2026-27 season, despite contributing to Roma's attacking play. The Como fixture represents both an important match for Roma's league campaign and a personal opportunity for Dybala to end his goalless run and move closer to the 200-goal milestone that has become an additional source of motivation.