Malen sent off in Como clash as Roma protests disputed dismissal

Ramon expressed frustration after Roma's match against Como in Serie A's sixth round of fixtures. Speaking after the game, the Roma player reflected on a performance in which his side failed to capitalise on a numerical advantage. "We are not content," he said. "We wanted to win. In the end they had one man fewer and we were unable to score a goal — we must improve." Ramon acknowledged his own development but emphasised the need for continued progress. "I have improved a lot, thanks to everyone, but I still have to improve," he stated. "We are not content and we must continue to work." The comments underline Roma's determination to turn draws into victories as the season progresses.

Jacobo Ramon expressed frustration after his side drew with Roma, saying his team failed to capitalise on a numerical advantage late in the match. Speaking to DAZN following the fixture, Ramon said: "We are not happy, we wanted to win and at the end you could see it with them down to ten men. We couldn't score a goal, we need to improve and think about the next one." Ramon reflected on his own development over the past year, crediting his teammates and staff for helping him progress. He acknowledged there remains room for growth: "I have improved a lot thanks to everyone, my teammates and the staff. But I still have to improve a lot. We need to continue working."

Pierluigi Gollini spoke to journalists after Como-Roma on matchday six of Serie A, reflecting on his start in goal for the Giallorossi. The goalkeeper said: "The match was approached differently. Playing after such a long time was difficult. My performance is a reward — what I've earned I've earned through work, hammering away at it. There's a circle of life: when you behave well and give your maximum, the wheel turns in the end." Gollini had been out for an extended period before returning to action at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. His performance represented a moment of redemption after limited opportunities. Mile Svilar, Roma's first-choice goalkeeper, offered encouragement before kickoff. On his state of mind during the match, Gollini explained: "I felt good, quite fluid even though I hadn't played in a long time. Mental state makes the difference — if you're convinced, everything follows as a consequence." When asked if Svilar had reached out, Gollini revealed: "He told me before the match, 'Go, it's your moment.' He's very strong, there's little to say. I care about him and we're here to help Roma. If I've had a certain career, there's a reason for it."

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.