Malen and Dybala star as Roma crush Fiorentina 4–0 in season opener

Roma face Como in a tactical battle between Fabregas and Gasperini, two coaches with contrasting philosophies seeking to dictate play. Gasperini is considering deploying Rodrigo Mora on the trequarti in support of Dybala and Malen, a move with both technical and tactical significance. Against Como's four-man defence, this setup would allow Mora to exploit space between the lines and combine quickly with two players whose strengths complement each other: Dybala's ability to read situations others miss and Malen's capacity to attack space immediately. Marten de Roon is expected to anchor midfield, providing equilibrium and tactical knowledge of Gasperini's systems crucial against Como's possession-based approach. Evan N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi in defence, with Nahuel Molina and Wesley operating on the flanks. The match's decisive factor may lie on the wings. Como build superiority through passing and draw pressure to free players in space; Roma counterpress through individual aggression and advanced recovery. The fullbacks will be fundamental, needing to support attacking play without leaving the corridors Como exploits. Molina and Wesley could prove decisive both in pressing and by forcing Como's wingers to defend, preventing Fabregas's side from developing their game with continuity. The sides have met twice previously in contrasting circumstances. At the Olimpico, Roma imposed themselves through intense pressing, with Wesley scoring the decisive goal. In the return fixture, a side lacking clear attacking reference points gradually lost shape and ceded initiative to Como. However, this Roma present different offensive possibilities. The presence of Malen, Dybala's talent and Mora's potential deployment offer Gasperini solutions capable of troubling a well-organised team like Fabregas's. Roma must start aggressively, press immediately and prevent Como from gaining confidence in their passing patterns.

Andrea Stramaccioni, a technical commentator for DAZN and former Roma Primavera manager, has analysed the Como–Roma fixture scheduled for 11 October at 12:30 in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. He positions the match as a contest between two of Inter's principal challengers, noting that both teams strengthened significantly in the final stages of last season and resumed this campaign more competitive, though Inter still hold an edge. Stramaccioni identified the tactical battleground as one between Como's model of technical possession and horizontal circulation—characteristic of Cesc Fabregas's setup—and Roma's aggression, speed and vertical intensity under Gian Piero Gasperini. He said: "The key will favour whoever succeeds in removing more 'certainties' from their opponent, that is, preventing them from playing as they wish by imposing their own rhythm." He predicted Como will employ rotations to draw Roma's key markers out of position and create space in transition. Against this, Roma can replicate their dominant performance in last season's home fixture, when they limited Como's possession and suffocated their creative sources, though he cautioned against an imbalanced approach. On Roma's midfield balance, Stramaccioni highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's potential dual role as a left-sided player who can drop deeper. He noted that in all four Serie A meetings between Gasperini and Fabregas—each won two apiece—a midfielder with an "equilibrating" function has started in Roma's attacking three: Pasalic and Samardzic against Atalanta, Pellegrini against Como. Alternatively, Matías Soulé could be deployed in a match requiring greater defensive sacrifice, as occurred against Inter. On the respective playmakers, Stramaccioni assessed Paulo Dybala and Nicolás Paz: "Both are players who captivate lovers of the game. They are obviously at different stages of their development and have different characteristics. Paulo has won everything; he is a player who determines outcomes and functions as a second striker. Nico has crystalline talent and is more of a number ten, capable of dropping deeper or starting decentred on the right. Today, however, Paulo is slightly more decisive in Roma than Nico is in Como."

Roman radio stations offer their verdicts on Roma's upcoming fixture against Como, with opinion split on Gasperini's midfield selection. Simone Valdarchi from Radio Manà Manà suggested that whether Gasperini opts for Pellegrini or Rodrigo Mora will not represent a defensive choice, but rather depend on each player's willingness to press Como's build-up play from the start. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino flagged the Champions League context as a conditioning factor for both sides, noting that a long international break brings uncertainty and that reaching +6 on Fabregas's Como would be significant for Roma. Mario Mattioli, also of Radio Radio Mattino, dismissed concerns about midfielder Marten de Roon. "I don't understand the doubts about de Roon," Mattioli said. "He is an inexhaustible engine in midfield." Mattioli acknowledged Como as a strong team but stressed that Roma's squad carries greater experience overall. He characterised the Giallorossi as flying on the wings of enthusiasm despite some organisational gaps in certain areas of the squad. The discourse reflects the prominence of Rome's radio culture, which hosts a unique ecosystem of stations, journalists, former players and opinion-formers who shape debate around the club in ways unmatched elsewhere in Italy.

Roma face Como in a tactical battle between Fabregas and Gasperini, two coaches with contrasting philosophies seeking to dictate play. Gasperini is considering deploying Rodrigo Mora on the trequarti in support of Dybala and Malen, a move with both technical and tactical significance. Against Como's four-man defence, this setup would allow Mora to exploit space between the lines and combine quickly with two players whose strengths complement each other: Dybala's ability to read situations others miss and Malen's capacity to attack space immediately. Marten de Roon is expected to anchor midfield, providing equilibrium and tactical knowledge of Gasperini's systems crucial against Como's possession-based approach. Evan N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi in defence, with Nahuel Molina and Wesley operating on the flanks. The match's decisive factor may lie on the wings. Como build superiority through passing and draw pressure to free players in space; Roma counterpress through individual aggression and advanced recovery. The fullbacks will be fundamental, needing to support attacking play without leaving the corridors Como exploits. Molina and Wesley could prove decisive both in pressing and by forcing Como's wingers to defend, preventing Fabregas's side from developing their game with continuity. The sides have met twice previously in contrasting circumstances. At the Olimpico, Roma imposed themselves through intense pressing, with Wesley scoring the decisive goal. In the return fixture, a side lacking clear attacking reference points gradually lost shape and ceded initiative to Como. However, this Roma present different offensive possibilities. The presence of Malen, Dybala's talent and Mora's potential deployment offer Gasperini solutions capable of troubling a well-organised team like Fabregas's. Roma must start aggressively, press immediately and prevent Como from gaining confidence in their passing patterns.

Roma are working on multiple transfer targets for the January window beyond Endrick, the Brazilian forward who has caught coach Gian Piero Gasperini's eye. While Endrick is a striker and left-footer who has shown he can operate in a secondary role at Lyon, his arrival may prove redundant given Paulo Dybala's elevated form and Matías Soulé's recent return to top condition — both players already operate in the centre-forward areas where the Brazilian would likely be deployed. Director Tony D'Amico is therefore pursuing alternative options, with initial contact already made on two specific players. The first is Georgian left-winger Kvernadze, a right-footed player with an imposing physical presence, pace and goalscoring ability who could compensate on that flank for the different profile offered by Rodrigo Mora. The second is Ruben van Bommel of PSV, son of the former Milan and Barcelona midfielder and current Belgium coach. Van Bommel, born 2004, was sidelined by a serious injury last season but has since recovered and is back at peak fitness. Van Bommel has scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists, and has already gained early Champions League experience. Roma's recruitment staff view both players as capable of strengthening the squad in areas where tactical balance is needed.

Andrea Stramaccioni, a technical commentator for DAZN and former Roma Primavera manager, has analysed the Como–Roma fixture scheduled for 11 October at 12:30 in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. He positions the match as a contest between two of Inter's principal challengers, noting that both teams strengthened significantly in the final stages of last season and resumed this campaign more competitive, though Inter still hold an edge. Stramaccioni identified the tactical battleground as one between Como's model of technical possession and horizontal circulation—characteristic of Cesc Fabregas's setup—and Roma's aggression, speed and vertical intensity under Gian Piero Gasperini. He said: "The key will favour whoever succeeds in removing more 'certainties' from their opponent, that is, preventing them from playing as they wish by imposing their own rhythm." He predicted Como will employ rotations to draw Roma's key markers out of position and create space in transition. Against this, Roma can replicate their dominant performance in last season's home fixture, when they limited Como's possession and suffocated their creative sources, though he cautioned against an imbalanced approach. On Roma's midfield balance, Stramaccioni highlighted Lorenzo Pellegrini's potential dual role as a left-sided player who can drop deeper. He noted that in all four Serie A meetings between Gasperini and Fabregas—each won two apiece—a midfielder with an "equilibrating" function has started in Roma's attacking three: Pasalic and Samardzic against Atalanta, Pellegrini against Como. Alternatively, Matías Soulé could be deployed in a match requiring greater defensive sacrifice, as occurred against Inter. On the respective playmakers, Stramaccioni assessed Paulo Dybala and Nicolás Paz: "Both are players who captivate lovers of the game. They are obviously at different stages of their development and have different characteristics. Paulo has won everything; he is a player who determines outcomes and functions as a second striker. Nico has crystalline talent and is more of a number ten, capable of dropping deeper or starting decentred on the right. Today, however, Paulo is slightly more decisive in Roma than Nico is in Como."

Roma face Como in a tactical battle between Fabregas and Gasperini, two coaches with contrasting philosophies seeking to dictate play. Gasperini is considering deploying Rodrigo Mora on the trequarti in support of Dybala and Malen, a move with both technical and tactical significance. Against Como's four-man defence, this setup would allow Mora to exploit space between the lines and combine quickly with two players whose strengths complement each other: Dybala's ability to read situations others miss and Malen's capacity to attack space immediately. Marten de Roon is expected to anchor midfield, providing equilibrium and tactical knowledge of Gasperini's systems crucial against Como's possession-based approach. Evan N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi in defence, with Nahuel Molina and Wesley operating on the flanks. The match's decisive factor may lie on the wings. Como build superiority through passing and draw pressure to free players in space; Roma counterpress through individual aggression and advanced recovery. The fullbacks will be fundamental, needing to support attacking play without leaving the corridors Como exploits. Molina and Wesley could prove decisive both in pressing and by forcing Como's wingers to defend, preventing Fabregas's side from developing their game with continuity. The sides have met twice previously in contrasting circumstances. At the Olimpico, Roma imposed themselves through intense pressing, with Wesley scoring the decisive goal. In the return fixture, a side lacking clear attacking reference points gradually lost shape and ceded initiative to Como. However, this Roma present different offensive possibilities. The presence of Malen, Dybala's talent and Mora's potential deployment offer Gasperini solutions capable of troubling a well-organised team like Fabregas's. Roma must start aggressively, press immediately and prevent Como from gaining confidence in their passing patterns.

Donyell Malen has spoken about his move to Roma and early impressions under Gian Piero Gasperini. Asked about the nickname 'Dymalen' or 'Dybalen' with Paulo Dybala, Malen said: "Dymalen… it makes you think of the connection, yes, it's funny online… The feeling with Paulo was immediate." Malen left Aston Villa by his own choice, seeking regular first-team football. "I wanted to play, to be part of a team where I could get on the pitch every weekend and be important," he explained. "In that phase I didn't feel I was. I think I made the best choice." He believes Roma and Gasperini offer what he was looking for. "I think pretty much everything has changed. I've played a lot and everywhere, but today I believe I'm in the right place with the right people. The coach and my teammates give me a lot of confidence, and all these things together bring me to be what I dreamed of." On Gasperini's approach, Malen said: "The way he manages players—you know he will never lie to you about anything." Malen also recalled Gasperini's exuberant reaction after the Parma match: "It happened after Parma. Amazing. He was too happy—a table flew too."

Roma's media panel debated squad selection and the Como fixture ahead of the club's return to action after an international break. Carina highlighted Gasperini's challenge in a congested fixture schedule: following weeks without the full squad available for training, the manager faced a first full session yesterday, 8 October, with today marking the real start of preparation. The key tactical doubt lay on the left wing—between Mora and Soulé—with Mora favoured so far due to more days at Trigoria, though that contest remained fluid. "Chi non giocherà a Como, giocherà contro il Real Madrid," Carina noted, pointing to Como's importance as a league fixture before the Champions League showdown. With only three central midfielders in the squad, Pellegrini's potential return offered vital depth; the pundit called Como–Roma "the most important match for Gasperini, not the Real Madrid one." Torri, speaking on Mana Mana Sport, predicted Soulé would start the Como match "if he is well." "Gasperini will assess him over these two days, and if he is fit, he will play," Torri said. Dybala and Malen were automatic selections. Pruzzo underlined the value of a healthy Pellegrini, noting that returning him to the three-man midfield would create a fourth option—"an alternative you must have." He stressed that beating Como would maintain Roma's level and force Como's manager Fabregas to chase a result against Fiorentina, establishing "a certain gap" in the standings. Orsi and Mattioli backed De Roon as a reliable midfield presence. "De Roon can start quite comfortably," Orsi said. "He doesn't move the centremidfield dynamically, but he already knows Gasperini's tactical systems." Mattioli called De Roon "an inexhaustible motor" with "incredible athletic longevity," though he acknowledged the midfielder cannot play 96 matches. "His contribution will come. I believe Roma can come away with points—I do not know if a draw or a win." Pes reflected on José Mourinho's tenure, commenting: "At an emotional level, Mourinho's period was a moment of truly great unity. Budapest could have been the crowning of his season with Roma—he would have entered history, and there his adventure ends. A season that finished badly and became worse with the De Rossi question. There were certainly better Roma sides in terms of play, but emotionally something unique was created: Mourinho left a mark on Roma. Against Como it is an open, difficult match to read. But Roma can win it, if it has more desire than it showed against Inter. I think Roma will hardly fail."

Roma's radio phone-in shows debated the Friedkin Group's position in football following reports of the sale of Everton, with opinion divided on whether the move signals a strategic retreat from sport or a commitment to focus solely on Roma. Gianluca Piacentini of Rete Sport argued the Everton sale could be a precursor to exiting Roma: "The sale of Everton by the Friedkin could be a step towards also selling Roma. They invested first in the stadium and then in the club there. Here in Rome they did the opposite. It may be they realised football is not the business they imagined and are liquidating. When there is final approval for the stadium construction, they could decide to leave Roma too." Tiziano Moroni took the opposite view, seeing the move as freeing resources to concentrate on Roma. Checco Oddo Casano suggested Everton's position in England and location offered poor strategic returns, though he too speculated the Friedkin might eventually sell Roma. Piero Torri expressed hope the sale was genuine, saying: "If the Friedkin have only Roma, it is better for us." On the pitch, David Rossi criticised Gasperini's approach to midfield strength: "There is one thing Gasperini is very wrong about: the number of central midfielders Roma needs to have available. I think four is too few, given the type of strain they undergo. When one gets injured, you have only one substitute at midfield. If there is an unfortunate suspension or something else, you are left with two central midfielders for two places. An ambitious squad cannot go into a grind like the one coming up with three midfielders for two spots. There is another aggravation: Pisilli is a different kind of reserve from all the others—more of an alternative than a reserve. If you need a thinking midfielder, that is another weakness." On Rodrigo Mora, Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo said: "The problem for Mora is that he needs time, but Roma has no time. He would need to be protected and sheltered, and for that another player should have been signed to give him time to grow. Instead he has to be a starter already, because you have Soulé who is adapted to the left, you have Pellegrini, and you have nothing else. The point seems clear to me: Mora would need to be sheltered, but we have no time for it." Mario Corsi backed Mora's quality and urged Gasperini to start him at Como. Roberto Pruzzo suggested Pisilli deserved midfield minutes on Sunday. Mario Mattioli rated a draw as the most likely result at Como, defending Marten de Roon's fitness despite his age: "I have followed him always—he is an inexhaustible motor. He has 35 years, and well, there are players who have an athleticism and longevity that others do not. Perhaps he cannot play every match, but we will see his contribution in the coming matches."

Donyell Malen has explained his move to Roma and his early impressions in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, crediting the club's environment and coaching for unlocking his best form. The forward said he had never scored as many goals as he has in his first weeks at Roma, attributing the change to finding the right place with the right people. "I've played a lot everywhere, but today I believe I'm in the right place with the right people," Malen said. "The coach and my teammates give me a lot of confidence, and all these things together bring me to be what I dreamed of." He described an immediate connection with Paulo Dybala, laughing at online nicknames like "Dymalen" and "Dybalen" that play on their names. Malen confirmed he decided to leave Aston Villa himself, seeking regular football and a central role in the team. "I wanted to play, to be part of a squad where I could take the pitch every weekend and be important," he said. "In that phase I didn't feel I was, so I think I made the best choice." He praised Roma's stature, fanbase, and coaching staff as decisive factors in his decision, and highlighted the adjustment to Serie A's climate and defensive structure compared to the Premier League. "In England it rains a lot and it's cold. Here, in summer, you have to slow the game down: you can't go back and forth at forty degrees. In the Premier League there's a different philosophy—you never find defensive blocks like those in Italy." Malen revealed he was injured during the recent international break and regretted being unable to answer a Netherlands call-up. He also praised several teammates, singling out Niccolò Pisilli as "very young but you see immediately that he has quality" and Manu Koné as "fantastic." On head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Malen said: "The way he manages players: you know he'll never lie to you." He acknowledged Gasperini's training sessions are "very heavy at times" but stopped short of confirming he had vomited from exhaustion like some other players have reported. He did reveal Gasperini threw furniture in the dressing room after the Parma match in celebration: "It was incredible. He was too happy: a table flew too."

Donyell Malen has praised his instant connection with Paulo Dybala and described Roma as the right environment for him to flourish, in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. The forward, who joined from Aston Villa, credited the club's dimension—its importance, supporters, coaching staff and squad—with accelerating his development. "I've never felt like this before, and from the first days," Malen said. "I think everything has changed. I've played a lot and everywhere, but today I believe I'm in the right place with the right people. The manager and my teammates give me so much confidence, and all of these things together bring me to be what I dreamed of being." Malen explained his decision to leave Aston Villa: "It was me, I wanted to play, to be part of a squad where I could take the field every weekend and be important. In that phase I didn't feel I was, so I think I made the best choice." His impact at Roma has been significant—he highlighted his debut as a turning point. "The first match. Starting very well, scoring a hat-trick, was fundamental. As a squad, we were strong and connected, and the feeling I had was immediately very good. From moments like this we can build and do something special." On his preferred position, he stated: "In the centre is where I feel better, more comfortable." Malen expressed surprise at the quality of midfielders Niccolò Pisilli and Manu Koné. "He is very young, I saw immediately he has quality. Manu, fantastic," he said. He also praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's directness in managing players: "The way he manages the players, you know he will never lie to you about anything. After Parma he was too happy—even a table flew." Malen described differences between Italian and English football, noting the defensive blocks in Serie A and the contrasting tactical philosophies, before declining to engage in a comparison with Lautaro Martínez over goalscoring: "Better that I concentrate on myself."