Malen's hat-trick and Roma's teenagers: Gasperini's second stint begins in style

Roma travel to Como's Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 for a Serie A encounter with high stakes and sharply contrasting tactical visions. The hosts arrive on 10 points and eighth place after a surprise 2–0 defeat to Frosinone before the international break, despite fielding their starting XI with Douvikas, Baturina, Paz and Diao. In their first five matches Como won four, drew one and lost one, and have recorded the fourth-best attack in Serie A with nine goals at a rate of 1.8 per match. They rank second only to Inter for shots on target, averaging 7.2 per game. However, Como have conceded at least one goal in every match so far and showed difficulty converting chances against Frosinone, striking a post but failing to score. The two sides last met in Serie A on matchday 29 of the 2025–26 season at the Sinigaglia, where Como won 2–1 with goals from Malen in the first half and a second-half turnaround through Douvikas and Diego Carlos. Wesley was controversially sent off for a second yellow card in that fixture. At the Olimpico earlier that season, Wesley had decided the match with a 1–0 goal. Gasperini did not shake Fabregas's hand at the end of the Sinigaglia match—an episode the Spanish coach called "unexpected and unsporting"—while Gasperini subsequently criticised Como's use of the goalkeeper in build-up play, saying: "They play a lot with the goalkeeper; it is a situation that is spreading in football: it is not spectacular." At the Festival dello Sport in Trento, however, the tone shifted. Fabregas praised Gasperini: "For me what he does is incredible. If he sees me making a mistake in something, I prefer him to come and tell me after the match and tell me. I listen and learn." Gasperini acknowledged Como's progress: "Those who follow football appreciate the evolution of Como under Fabregas. It is not only the result of investments by a wealthy ownership but also the quality of play they express. It is among the best in the championship." Fabregas builds his system through possession, positional superiority and varied ball circulation that adapts rhythm across phases. Como moves the ball patiently, draws opposing pressure and strikes through the spaces that open between the lines—a philosophy rooted in play from the back via goalkeeper and defenders, aimed at control through technical quality. Gasperini pursues an entirely different path: a three-man defence, man-to-man pressing, wing-backs high up the pitch and immediate vertical play after winning the ball. Roma seek to aggress, break lines, force the opponent into narrow spaces and convert every recovery into a scoring chance—a more direct, physical, transition-orientated game. Fabregas hopes to have Nico Paz fit, coming off a goal with an assist from Messi while on international duty. Douvikas is certain to start in attack; Kean is unavailable after muscle fatigue. On the flanks, Couto and Smolcic are competing, with the Brazilian favoured. Como's probable formation is 4–2–3–1: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah T., Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Paz N., Baturina; Douvikas.

Roma travel to Como on Sunday 8 October at 12:30 for a high-stakes Serie A fixture that positions the winners as Inter's principal challenger for the Scudetto. The match at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia will pit two of Serie A's most innovative coaches against each other: Gian Piero Gasperini and Cesc Fàbregas, in a tactical battle between opposing philosophies of attacking football. Gasperini's Roma operate on principles of Dutch Total Football founded on aggression—man-marking across the pitch, immediate re-pressing in the opponent's half to stifle play, and rapid long passes. Fàbregas's Como, shaped by the schools of Wenger and Guardiola, build from the back as their defining weapon: the side draws opposing pressure toward goalkeeper Butez before stretching the tactical shape and striking in the exposed spaces left behind. The contrast in styles has produced heated exchanges between the two managers in the past. The fixture offers an intriguing demographic and experience contrast: Fàbregas, 39, is Serie A's youngest head coach, while Gasperini at 68 is the division's oldest. Both clubs have chosen dynamic, youthful projects—Como and Roma have the league's lowest average ages, at 24.5 and 25.8 years respectively. Head-to-head records between the managers show no draws across four meetings: two wins each. The Sunday lunchtime kick-off represents a fundamental test for Roma's away credentials in a hostile environment against opponents who thrive in front of their own crowd. A victory would send a clear message to their title rivals.

Roma return from international duty with most players available for Sunday's trip to Como, the first of two fixtures that will test Gasperini's squad before Real Madrid arrive at the Olimpico four days later. Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora returned yesterday, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro rejoin today after their commitments with Argentina's national team. Bryan Cristante remains sidelined by a knee ligament problem, opening the door for Marten de Roon to make his Roma debut from the start alongside Koné in midfield. The selection puzzle centres on the third attacking option alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fully recovered after a long absence, is favoured by some outlets after training throughout the break at Trigoria. Others back Soulé despite his late return from Argentina, while Rodrigo Mora retains a genuine chance after being the most used Roma player during the international window, clocking 225 minutes and scoring an overhead kick for Portugal Under 21. Gasperini has three very different solutions competing for one shirt, with Real Madrid's proximity potentially influencing Sunday's starting lineup. Malen and Wesley have both cleared their respective injury problems and are expected to feature against Como without concern. The Brazilian should return as a starter on the flank, though a contest remains between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli for the opposite side. In defence, Evan N'Dicka appears to have a slight edge over Balerdi, having resumed regular training at Trigoria while Balerdi only returns today. Malen has scored six goals in the first five matches and carries a significant objective into the resumption: approaching the 36-goal records of Higuain and Immobile. He scored 20 Serie A goals in 2026 alone—more than any other player—and had found the net at the Sinigaglia last season before Como's comeback. Dybala has seized the break to work without interruption, transforming physically and delivering greater consistency: 497 minutes played, four assists and three goals created so far, though his own goal drought stretches back to 18 January. The technical duel between Dybala and Como's Nico Paz will be one of the match's most compelling threads. Gasperini and Como manager Cesc Fabregas represent opposite generations and contrasting approaches to attacking football. Fabregas seeks to control rhythm and possession; Gasperini favours intensity, pressure and direct play. They have nearly thirty years between them, stand respectively as Serie A's youngest and oldest managers, and have won two matches each in four previous meetings. Their recent encounters have produced friction—Gasperini objected to Fabregas's use of the goalkeeper in Como's build-up, while Fabregas criticised Gasperini's failure to greet him after one fixture. Sunday's fixture, arriving at only the sixth matchday, already carries weight in gauging both teams' ambitions.

Donyell Malen has been awarded the Italian Professional Footballers' Association (AIC) Player of the Month award for September, adding to his Player of the Month honour for the August–September period in Serie A. The Dutch forward has maintained extraordinary form at the start of the 2026–27 season, continuing the trajectory that ended his previous campaign with seven goals in the final seven matches of 2025–26. He has now scored six goals in Roma's first five matches of the current season. Malen's September standout performance came in a hat-trick display against Fiorentina, which the article describes as a programmatic statement of intent. The opening goal came from a dribble into the box followed by a backheel pass, the second was a left-footed strike under the crossbar, and the third arrived as a tap-in from Paulo Dybala's outside assist. He added a brace in Roma's first-half demolition of Lecce and scored again against Torino while sliding to the ground. His form has generated the sensation that accompanies elite peaks—the impression that every touch might be decisive, and anticipation with every possession. The article emphasises that Malen's effectiveness cannot be reduced to any single measurable attribute. He is not the fastest player in Serie A, nor does he possess the best shot or greatest power in acceleration; rather, his intelligence places him consistently one step ahead of opposing defenders. His ability to find space and time within the visual blind spots of defenders is described as exceptional, the article arguing that few players in the league possess his capacity to be hidden in plain sight. His rivals for the September award included Lautaro Martínez, Davide Frattesi and Giorgi Kvernadze.

Donyell Malen has been named Serie A player of September by the Italian Players' Association (AIC), beating competition from Lautaro Martinez, Davide Frattesi and Giorgi Kvernadze. The Roma forward has scored six goals in the season's first five matches, including a hat-trick on the opening day against Fiorentina, continuing the form that carried him through to May. Malen's performances have been described as "video-game level". The former Aston Villa player will now be called upon to deliver in Roma's upcoming away fixture at Como and in a Champions League night match at the Olimpico against Real Madrid.

Roma prepare for Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia with fresh tactical notes from a recent friendly. In a training session against Sorianese, Gasperini tested Rodrigo Mora as a starter alongside Paulo Dybala, with Donyell Malen completing the attacking trio. Mora is therefore in contention for a first-minute place. Malen and Wesley completed full training and are confirmed fit to start, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro completed only recovery work and will not be deployed from the outset against Como. José Mourinho will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second round of the Champions League. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in the giallorossi colours, calling the bond "unique and special". He recalled the fans' reception, the Conference League triumph and the Budapest final, while noting that the split with the ownership came after UEFA sanctions imposed in the aftermath of that match. On returning to the Olympic Stadium: "It will be different. I will have to prepare myself to enter that stadium without the passion of the Roma fans." Mourinho spoke of his relationship with former clubs and his affection for Francesco Totti. Santiago Castro spoke to TNT Sports of his emotions after his Argentina debut and witnessing Lionel Messi's final international match up close. The Roma forward explained that the group aimed to win "out of respect for the fans", stressing that with Messi "there are no friendlies". Castro said he had not fully processed the moment: "I looked at the photos all night." He emphasised the importance of daily work at Roma to ensure continued selection: "Getting to the national team is the maximum. I want always to be there, but I have to earn it." Roma had identified Endrick as an ideal attacking reinforcement, but Real Madrid appeared intent on retaining him. According to Fabrizio Romano, no final decision has been reached and the next two months will be decisive. Should the Brazilian's playing time remain low, Real could reopen the possibility of a loan in January, similar to what happened last year with a move to Lyon.

Rodrigo Mora is in line to start on the trequarti for Roma's trip to Como on Sunday, having impressed with Portugal Under 21 with a goal and an assist across three matches. Matías Soulé will train with the main group for the first time on 9 October, while Lorenzo Pellegrini returns after six months out through injury. Mora started today against Sorianese, putting him ahead of both teammates in the pecking order according to Sky Sport. Pellegrini featured in the second half of that friendly. The forward pairing of Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala is unchanged. At the back, Evan N'Dicka is favored over Leonardo Balerdi, while Marten de Roon steps in midfield in place of the injured Bryan Cristante.

Roma travel to Como on Sunday at 12:30 with the aim of maintaining their position at the top of the table. Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Donyell Malen and Wesley are fully fit after both featured in a friendly played today, recovering from earlier absences. Gasperini has minor doubts in defence but expects to field Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso as his back three, with Leonardo Balerdi pushing for a place after returning from a trip overseas. Marten de Roon will replace Bryan Cristante in midfield alongside Manu Koné, while Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the flanks. Rodrigo Mora is set to start as an attacking midfielder, ahead of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Roma's probable formation: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.

Roma held a friendly match against Sorianese, a team from the Eccellenza division, at Trigoria on the morning of 8 October as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad continued preparations for Sunday's trip to Como. The most significant development came with Donyell Malen and Wesley returning to full group training after working only partially with their teammates in recent sessions, confirming their progress towards the Sinigaglia fixture. Manu Koné and Rodrigo Mora also trained with the squad after returning from international duty. Gasperini is close to having almost his entire squad available just days before the league resumes, with Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Leonardo Balerdi undergoing a recovery session following their long journey back from Argentina. From tomorrow the coach should have virtually the full group at his disposal, with the exception of the injured Bryan Cristante.

Roma prepare for Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia with fresh tactical notes from a recent friendly. In a training session against Sorianese, Gasperini tested Rodrigo Mora as a starter alongside Paulo Dybala, with Donyell Malen completing the attacking trio. Mora is therefore in contention for a first-minute place. Malen and Wesley completed full training and are confirmed fit to start, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro completed only recovery work and will not be deployed from the outset against Como. José Mourinho will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second round of the Champions League. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in the giallorossi colours, calling the bond "unique and special". He recalled the fans' reception, the Conference League triumph and the Budapest final, while noting that the split with the ownership came after UEFA sanctions imposed in the aftermath of that match. On returning to the Olympic Stadium: "It will be different. I will have to prepare myself to enter that stadium without the passion of the Roma fans." Mourinho spoke of his relationship with former clubs and his affection for Francesco Totti. Santiago Castro spoke to TNT Sports of his emotions after his Argentina debut and witnessing Lionel Messi's final international match up close. The Roma forward explained that the group aimed to win "out of respect for the fans", stressing that with Messi "there are no friendlies". Castro said he had not fully processed the moment: "I looked at the photos all night." He emphasised the importance of daily work at Roma to ensure continued selection: "Getting to the national team is the maximum. I want always to be there, but I have to earn it." Roma had identified Endrick as an ideal attacking reinforcement, but Real Madrid appeared intent on retaining him. According to Fabrizio Romano, no final decision has been reached and the next two months will be decisive. Should the Brazilian's playing time remain low, Real could reopen the possibility of a loan in January, similar to what happened last year with a move to Lyon.

Roma face Como in less than 72 hours, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing his tactical approach for the Sinigaglia. Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned from injury, but Rodrigo Mora is a candidate for a starting place alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala on the attacking line. Mora offers Gasperini a tool to counter Como's four-man defences and increase Roma's threat in the middle third. The Portuguese midfielder can play from the start on the attacking line. Roma completed a friendly at their Trigoria training ground today against Sorianese, winning 20–0. Both Koné and Mora featured in the match. Malen and Wesley, fully recovered from injury concerns, are set to start from the beginning at Como.

Roma travel to Como's Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 for a Serie A encounter with high stakes and sharply contrasting tactical visions. The hosts arrive on 10 points and eighth place after a surprise 2–0 defeat to Frosinone before the international break, despite fielding their starting XI with Douvikas, Baturina, Paz and Diao. In their first five matches Como won four, drew one and lost one, and have recorded the fourth-best attack in Serie A with nine goals at a rate of 1.8 per match. They rank second only to Inter for shots on target, averaging 7.2 per game. However, Como have conceded at least one goal in every match so far and showed difficulty converting chances against Frosinone, striking a post but failing to score. The two sides last met in Serie A on matchday 29 of the 2025–26 season at the Sinigaglia, where Como won 2–1 with goals from Malen in the first half and a second-half turnaround through Douvikas and Diego Carlos. Wesley was controversially sent off for a second yellow card in that fixture. At the Olimpico earlier that season, Wesley had decided the match with a 1–0 goal. Gasperini did not shake Fabregas's hand at the end of the Sinigaglia match—an episode the Spanish coach called "unexpected and unsporting"—while Gasperini subsequently criticised Como's use of the goalkeeper in build-up play, saying: "They play a lot with the goalkeeper; it is a situation that is spreading in football: it is not spectacular." At the Festival dello Sport in Trento, however, the tone shifted. Fabregas praised Gasperini: "For me what he does is incredible. If he sees me making a mistake in something, I prefer him to come and tell me after the match and tell me. I listen and learn." Gasperini acknowledged Como's progress: "Those who follow football appreciate the evolution of Como under Fabregas. It is not only the result of investments by a wealthy ownership but also the quality of play they express. It is among the best in the championship." Fabregas builds his system through possession, positional superiority and varied ball circulation that adapts rhythm across phases. Como moves the ball patiently, draws opposing pressure and strikes through the spaces that open between the lines—a philosophy rooted in play from the back via goalkeeper and defenders, aimed at control through technical quality. Gasperini pursues an entirely different path: a three-man defence, man-to-man pressing, wing-backs high up the pitch and immediate vertical play after winning the ball. Roma seek to aggress, break lines, force the opponent into narrow spaces and convert every recovery into a scoring chance—a more direct, physical, transition-orientated game. Fabregas hopes to have Nico Paz fit, coming off a goal with an assist from Messi while on international duty. Douvikas is certain to start in attack; Kean is unavailable after muscle fatigue. On the flanks, Couto and Smolcic are competing, with the Brazilian favoured. Como's probable formation is 4–2–3–1: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah T., Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Paz N., Baturina; Douvikas.