Davide Moscardelli, a former Chievo Verona and Bologna player and Roma supporter, analysed yesterday's match against Como on Radio Bruno (101.5), defending the side's goalless draw while questioning some of Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical decisions.
Moscardelli backed the point secured, saying: "We take home this result, although I would add with a touch of regret. It is certainly a further step forward in the process Roma began last year and is carrying forward very well. It is a shame, because the match had been prepared and approached well. The first 0–0 of the season arrived between two teams from which perhaps we would not have expected it. But it was a good match. Naturally, Malen's expulsion changed the balance." He highlighted Roma's defensive control in the second half as a particular strength, noting: "Roma succeeded in playing a large part of the second half suffering together, without however conceding many truly dangerous chances. Apart from Perrone's chance, comparable in importance to the one that fell to Dybala, the rest of the match was managed quite well."
On Paulo Dybala's performance, Moscardelli acknowledged the midfielder's wider role but noted concern at his lack of goals. "He has done exceptional work, including in defensive transitions and helping the squad. However, it is certainly not what we normally ask him or would like to ask him." He expressed surprise at Santiago Castro not entering the pitch, saying Castro as "a fresh player, a fighter" could have eased Como's pressure, though he accepted Gasperini's judgment. On goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini and midfielder Marten de Roon, Moscardelli was complimentary: "Gollini and De Roon were among the best on the pitch. They were called to give a positive response and they gave it. Confidence must be given to them. Everyone will be needed, especially in this month, with many matches concentrated in less than thirty days."
Moscardelli also discussed Donyell Malen's red card, saying the forward arrived "with great force, with much impetuousness" but that the contact with the ball was clear. He suggested the referee had focused on the intensity of the challenge rather than intent to injure. On the broader Champions League campaign ahead, Moscardelli urged the squad to enjoy the moment, particularly Gollini: "Finding himself playing in the Champions League against Real Madrid when perhaps, a short time ago, you were used to playing much less, is something special. For him it will certainly be a source of pride and also a reward for all the work carried out."
Story Coverage3 sources on this story
Roma drew 0–0 with Como on 11 October, playing more than two-thirds of the match with ten men after Donyell Malen's red card in the first half. Multiple outlets have analysed the defensive resilience displayed, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini defending both the dismissal decision and his team's tactical discipline under numerical disadvantage. Gasperini was critical of the refereeing, arguing that Malen had touched the ball and that intent to injure was difficult to sustain, though he acknowledged the intensity of the challenge. He felt the point was justified given the circumstances, noting that Roma had created excellent scoring opportunities in the opening period and successfully prevented Como from generating truly dangerous chances thereafter.
Gasperini singled out Paulo Dybala for extraordinary praise, describing his performance as one of great substance despite the numerical disadvantage. The midfielder cleaned up difficult situations and helped Roma maintain possession and structure, though Gasperini noted with regret a first-half opportunity Dybala squandered. Pierluigi Gollini also earned commendation for his distribution and attentiveness between the posts. Former player Davide Moscardelli, analysing the match on Radio Bruno, broadly backed the result as a further step in Roma's progress, highlighting the defensive control in the second half as a particular strength. He expressed surprise that Santiago Castro, described as a fresh, combative option, did not enter the pitch, though he deferred to Gasperini's judgment. Como defender Yan Couto praised Roma's defensive organisation, noting the balance of the contest and the value of playing against strong opposition.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Davide Moscardelli, ex calciatore di Chievo Verona e Bologna e grande romanista, è intervenuto sulle frequenze di Radio Bruno (101.5). Il calciatore romano ha voluto parlare della partita di ieri, soffermandosi sul fallo di Malen e sul mancato ingresso di Santiago Castro. Ecco le sue dichiarazioni…”
Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.
