Malen apologises after red card as Gasperini defends forward's conduct

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a composed first response to Mile Svilar's month-long absence at Como, removing much of the initial anxiety that gripped Roma when their first-choice goalkeeper suffered injury on the eve of a demanding fixture run. After Donyell Malen's red card complicated the match, Gollini proved the quality of his understudy role through work outside the box—four interventions rooted in tactical positioning and timing, hallmarks of Svilar's own play. He did not need to be Svilar; he needed to ensure Roma did not feel his absence too acutely. He achieved that. Gollini arrives at the hardest test without having erased Svilar from memory but having quietened the doubts that surfaced when the injury news broke and observers began scanning the calendar. He spent the summer months waiting, training, and preparing for moments exactly like Como. "The years pass and with strong goalkeepers it happens that you stay on the bench," he said. The match itself proved instructive: "During the game I felt good, I managed to enter an optimal state and felt fairly fluid. Of course, mental state makes the difference." His readiness now carries weight beyond a single fixture. Wednesday brings the definitive examination: Real Madrid visit the Olimpico. Gollini takes that platform having done what was required—held the line while Svilar recovers, and reminded Roma that some contingencies are well in place.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como in a match defined by defensive solidity and late controversy. The result left Gasperini visibly satisfied, celebrating what he saw as exemplary rearguard work in a tense final phase at the Sinigaglia. The fixture marked Roma's first outing without Svilar; Gollini stepped in to keep a clean sheet. Dybala operated as both ball-carrier and offensive organiser, helping Roma nullify Como's threat. The match turned when Donyell Malen was sent off after being pulled back by Como's Ramon; that dismissal fundamentally reshaped the contest. Referee Fabbri was forced off injured at the 80th minute and replaced by Sozza, with ten minutes plus seven minutes of added time remaining. Roma's capacity to grind out a result away from home reflects progress under Gasperini's charge. The squad showed it could suffer and settle for a draw when circumstances demanded it. Exiting Sinigaglia unscathed holds weight in the current campaign. In the standings, Roma remain in contention but have ceded top place to Inter, who are attempting to pull clear; Lazio continue to surprise and stay within reach. Aleksandro Angeloni, writing in Il Messaggero, noted that Roma became monolithic in the final twenty minutes, with Como offering their most threatening play only during that same spell. The opening forty minutes proved less eventful. Gasperini displayed what was described as a spontaneous and almost cathartic display of joy at the final whistle. Wesley's red card in the previous season—also under referee Fabbri—had similarly influenced match dynamics. The parallel underscored how refereeing decisions and personnel shape outcomes when margins are narrow.

Roma drew 0–0 with Como in a match that offered little evidence either side can challenge Inter this season. The result was the first goalless draw of the 2026–27 Serie A campaign, arriving at the 54th fixture of the year. Gasperini's side remained unbeaten but offered a defensive, cautious display that bore no resemblance to the attacking football both teams had shown earlier in the season. The match turned on the dismissal of Donyell Malen in the second half for a foul on Kaiki, leaving Roma to defend for long periods with ten men. Gasperini celebrated the final whistle, but his mood shifted afterward when discussing the sending-off. "If you freeze the frame it is evident," he said of Malen's challenge, "but this takes us back to what has been a damage to football in our years." Roma will face fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's fixture against Genoa, managed by former Roma boss Daniele De Rossi. Mile Svilar is sidelined, and the club's main striker—for whom supporters fear a two-match ban—will also be unavailable. Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho, visit the Olimpico on Wednesday. Arbitro Fabbri's management defined the contest. For half an hour he made no calls, missing contact between Wesley and Diao, before suddenly beginning to issue cards freely. Six yellow cards were shown in total—matching the combined number of shots on target both teams managed across the entire match. The draw benefited Lazio, who will have taken satisfaction from Como and Roma's failure to close the gap on the Serie A leaders.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a composed first response to Mile Svilar's month-long absence at Como, removing much of the initial anxiety that gripped Roma when their first-choice goalkeeper suffered injury on the eve of a demanding fixture run. After Donyell Malen's red card complicated the match, Gollini proved the quality of his understudy role through work outside the box—four interventions rooted in tactical positioning and timing, hallmarks of Svilar's own play. He did not need to be Svilar; he needed to ensure Roma did not feel his absence too acutely. He achieved that. Gollini arrives at the hardest test without having erased Svilar from memory but having quietened the doubts that surfaced when the injury news broke and observers began scanning the calendar. He spent the summer months waiting, training, and preparing for moments exactly like Como. "The years pass and with strong goalkeepers it happens that you stay on the bench," he said. The match itself proved instructive: "During the game I felt good, I managed to enter an optimal state and felt fairly fluid. Of course, mental state makes the difference." His readiness now carries weight beyond a single fixture. Wednesday brings the definitive examination: Real Madrid visit the Olimpico. Gollini takes that platform having done what was required—held the line while Svilar recovers, and reminded Roma that some contingencies are well in place.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como in a match defined by defensive solidity and late controversy. The result left Gasperini visibly satisfied, celebrating what he saw as exemplary rearguard work in a tense final phase at the Sinigaglia. The fixture marked Roma's first outing without Svilar; Gollini stepped in to keep a clean sheet. Dybala operated as both ball-carrier and offensive organiser, helping Roma nullify Como's threat. The match turned when Donyell Malen was sent off after being pulled back by Como's Ramon; that dismissal fundamentally reshaped the contest. Referee Fabbri was forced off injured at the 80th minute and replaced by Sozza, with ten minutes plus seven minutes of added time remaining. Roma's capacity to grind out a result away from home reflects progress under Gasperini's charge. The squad showed it could suffer and settle for a draw when circumstances demanded it. Exiting Sinigaglia unscathed holds weight in the current campaign. In the standings, Roma remain in contention but have ceded top place to Inter, who are attempting to pull clear; Lazio continue to surprise and stay within reach. Aleksandro Angeloni, writing in Il Messaggero, noted that Roma became monolithic in the final twenty minutes, with Como offering their most threatening play only during that same spell. The opening forty minutes proved less eventful. Gasperini displayed what was described as a spontaneous and almost cathartic display of joy at the final whistle. Wesley's red card in the previous season—also under referee Fabbri—had similarly influenced match dynamics. The parallel underscored how refereeing decisions and personnel shape outcomes when margins are narrow.

Roma drew 0–0 with Como in a match that offered little evidence either side can challenge Inter this season. The result was the first goalless draw of the 2026–27 Serie A campaign, arriving at the 54th fixture of the year. Gasperini's side remained unbeaten but offered a defensive, cautious display that bore no resemblance to the attacking football both teams had shown earlier in the season. The match turned on the dismissal of Donyell Malen in the second half for a foul on Kaiki, leaving Roma to defend for long periods with ten men. Gasperini celebrated the final whistle, but his mood shifted afterward when discussing the sending-off. "If you freeze the frame it is evident," he said of Malen's challenge, "but this takes us back to what has been a damage to football in our years." Roma will face fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's fixture against Genoa, managed by former Roma boss Daniele De Rossi. Mile Svilar is sidelined, and the club's main striker—for whom supporters fear a two-match ban—will also be unavailable. Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho, visit the Olimpico on Wednesday. Arbitro Fabbri's management defined the contest. For half an hour he made no calls, missing contact between Wesley and Diao, before suddenly beginning to issue cards freely. Six yellow cards were shown in total—matching the combined number of shots on target both teams managed across the entire match. The draw benefited Lazio, who will have taken satisfaction from Como and Roma's failure to close the gap on the Serie A leaders.