Malen sends tactical message to Koeman: 'I am a true striker'

Nahuel Molina has called on Roma to maintain their current form and secure victory in their Serie A fixture against Como, the sixth round of the season. Speaking ahead of the match, the defender emphasised the importance of consistency as Roma look to build on recent performances. Molina said: "We must continue like this and get the three points." His comments reflect Roma's focus on accumulating wins as the campaign progresses, with the squad aiming to sustain the momentum needed for a strong league finish.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico spoke to journalists before kickoff in the sixth Serie A round at Como, addressing the squad's readiness and injury situation. "We expect a match between two strong sides," D'Amico said. "We haven't had much time to prepare it, but we have months of work behind us. We hope for a standout moment in football." The director confirmed that goalkeeper Mile Svilar and midfielder Bryan Cristante will miss a significant period through injury. "It's a great shame to lose an important player like Mile," D'Amico said. "But also Cristante. It's unfortunate because these are long injuries—they will miss quite a few matches. The squad members have great trust in the club, and everyone who has the opportunity to be on show should see that as motivation and not a burden." On the debut of Lorenzo Pellegrini, D'Amico expressed confidence in the midfielder's contribution going forward. D'Amico stressed that Pellegrini's arrival represented a significant acquisition for Roma. "For us it was a signing," he said. "We found him with his contract expiring—everyone who signed a renewal was among the first signings. Lorenzo has lived through difficult months and worked hard in the summer; for him this is a major motivation. We are convinced he can give a big hand to the group."

Roma's sporting director addressed the media ahead of the sixth Serie A round at Como, expressing disappointment over key injuries while backing the squad to respond. D'Amico confirmed that both Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante will miss the fixture through injury, describing them as long-term absences that will sideline the players for multiple matches. "Sicuramente è un dispiacere perdere un giocatore importante come Svilar, ma anche Cristante. Sono infortuni un po' lunghi e quindi salteranno tante partite," he said, but added confidence in the available squad. "Però tutti i ragazzi che fanno parte della rosa hanno grande fiducia da parte del club e dell'allenatore, quindi credo che per Pierluigi come per Marten sia una motivazione e non un peso." D'Amico praised the work done over the summer and highlighted the importance of squad depth despite the absences. He stressed that renewal contracts for players out of contract carried the same strategic weight as new signings. The director also expressed optimism about Lorenzo Pellegrini's role going forward, having worked through a difficult injury period during the off-season. "Per noi rinnovarlo è stato come un acquisto, così come tutti gli altri che erano in scadenza," he explained. Ahead of the Como fixture, D'Amico outlined Roma's expectations: "Sì, i principi delle due squadre sono un po' diversi. Ci aspettiamo una partita bella tra due squadre forti. Il tempo di prepararla è stato poco perchè abbiamo avuto tantissimi giocatori in nazionale, però ci sono mesi di lavoro importante alle spalle. Ci auguriamo che sia una partita bella, uno spot per tutto il sistema calcio italiano."

Roma drew with Como on 11 October 2026, but the result was overshadowed by a red card shown to Donyell Malen in the 55th minute. Referee Fabbri's decision to dismiss the Dutch forward has come under heavy scrutiny. Malen was fouled before the contact with Como's Kaiki, and Fabbri played advantage; when that advantage did not materialise, the referee should have returned to blow his whistle for the original foul. Instead, he allowed play to continue, fundamentally changing the course of the match. Further examination reveals that Malen also made contact with the ball during the challenge on Kaiki, a detail that compounds the controversy. A yellow card would have been the correct sanction. Despite playing the entire second half with ten men and facing a decision that will be debated for some time, Roma showed character and sacrifice to prevent Como from scoring. The point gained demonstrates the resilience of Gasperini's side, who remain in contention for the title. The handling of the incident will draw criticism, but the squad's response—maintaining discipline and shape throughout the numerical disadvantage—speaks to their commitment.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a commanding performance in goal as Roma drew 0–0 at Como on Sunday, stepping in after Mile Svilar's injury forced him into his first start of the season. The former Atalanta and Napoli goalkeeper faced immediate scrutiny, but his display suggested Roma have a goalkeeper ready to step into the breach without hesitation. At the Sinigaglia, Gollini was alert from the seventh minute, closing down Nico Paz with a textbook low save on the Argentine's attempt. His authority grew as the match unfolded, particularly after Donyell Malen's 53rd-minute expulsion left Roma with ten men and Como pushing higher up the pitch. With the field opening up in the second half, Gollini proved the difference between a point and a defeat. He made a crucial save at 72 minutes, palming away a looping effort from Paz over the bar with an outstretched hand. Throughout, he operated with the composure demanded by Gasperini's system, in which the goalkeeper functions as an extra defender, reading cuts into dangerous space and closing depth before Como's midfielders could capitalise. Gollini's reading of the play and his positioning on crosses showed the security needed to manage a three-man defensive line pressing individually. He made four decisive exits and recorded a clean sheet, but the substance lay in his tactical intelligence: he agitated the offensive space early and conceded no second chances, calling out coverage to his defensive line and stepping out when necessary. The point taken from Como carries significance in the title race, but much of it traces back to Gollini's gloves. His readiness in a moment of emergency has given Roma genuine assurance that their second goalkeeper is no mere understudy. The club now awaits clarity on Svilar's recovery timeline, but the depth on display at Como answers one pressing question: Roma need not fear what comes next.

Donyell Malen was sent off directly by referee Fabbri during Roma's match at Como for a foul on Kaiki. Roma players and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini protested vehemently both against the dismissal itself and over a potential foul committed on Malen moments before the incident. Malen contested the decision to fourth official Sozza, saying: "It's always a foul first, if you whistle a foul first I don't get sent off." The controversy centred on whether the referee should have penalised a challenge on the Roma forward in the lead-up to his own challenge, which would have prevented the red card from being shown.