Peccenini hails Lulli's exceptional debut and backs Roma to compete for the title under Gasperini

Roma travel to Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday to face Como in a Serie A fixture that pits the division's joint leaders against a side seeking to recover from their first defeat of the season. Gian Piero Gasperini's Giallorossi won their opening four league games and were seeking a fifth consecutive victory against defending champions Inter before settling for a 2–2 draw at the Olimpico, with Lautaro Martinez's second-half brace cancelling out Manu Koné's first-half double. Roma spent the international break as joint leaders with 14 goals scored—only Inter have netted more this term—and are the only side to have scored at least two goals in all five matches so far. They bring a five-game winning away league run into this fixture, a streak only once exceeded in the club's history when Roma won 12 consecutive games between February and November 2017. Como enter the match three points behind Roma and seeking to bounce back after Frosinone's 2–0 victory halted their ten-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Cesc Fabregas' men have otherwise impressed, winning three consecutive league matches to follow their opening 1–1 draw at Udinese. Como's home record is formidable: only defending champions Inter have beaten them in their last nine games at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia (W6, D2), and they have won their last three home meetings with Roma in Serie A—as many victories as in their previous 11 such clashes combined. Como have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home outings, a defensive strength that will test Roma's attacking prowess. Roma must contend with a potential absence: Bryan Cristante remains the only doubt after a knee injury forced him out of Italy's squad. Wesley Franca withdrew from Brazil's camp but should be fit to start. All eyes will be on Donyell Malen, who leads Serie A's scoring charts with six goals. Como's long-term absentee Jayden Addai has recently resumed full training, giving Fabregas his entire squad available. Tasos Douvikas is likely to start in attack ahead of Moise Kean, seeking to end his home drought after his last five goals all came on the road. Roma's starting XI is expected to line up as follows: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen. Como will deploy: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Da Cunha, Milla; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas. Despite Roma's superior attacking form and impressive away record, Como's resilience at the Sinigaglia makes this a tricky assignment for Gasperini's men. Gasperini could become only the fifth manager to oversee 300 Serie A victories should Roma add to their tally. However, Roma must avoid lapses in concentration in the second half, having conceded their last six goals after halftime.

Radio Roma commentators have weighed in ahead of the Como match, with analysis centring on how Gasperini's Roma will adapt after the international break and what the fixture will reveal about both teams' direction. Stefano Agresti told Radio Radio Mattino: "Como–Roma will give important answers; it is a match that will certainly leave a mark at least in the immediate term on both teams. There is the uncertainty of how much the break has affected things, we need to see how much it has changed the lay of the land. A different championship begins as well." He added that the Friedkin Group's focus on Roma alone is positive from a regulatory perspective: "If Everton had gone into the Champions League it would have been a problem, not only economically but there was the certainty that the two clubs could not play in the same competition." Giancarlo Padovan described the Everton situation as beneficial: "If Roma's forces are 100 and they all go in Roma's direction, it can only benefit. The ownership concentrates on a single society." Roberto Pruzzo suggested a goalless draw would be valuable. "It would be worth a lot to draw, even a 0–0 which has not happened yet this season. One will come eventually." He assessed Roma's prospects: "I think Roma is capable of adjusting better to the situation. Como will take hold of the match, but when you think it is going one way the play can suddenly emerge that changes it." Sandro Sabatini predicted Gasperini would deliberately diverge from Como's tactical blueprint as a statement: "If I am Gasperini tomorrow I do something completely different." Nando Orsi anticipated an attacking spectacle: "I expect a spectacular match, with two different but profitable philosophies. Gasperini does man-to-man, high pressure; Fabregas is more about possession. Roma now seems more Gasperinian compared to last year. I expect many goals and quality."

Roma travel to Como on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 to face Cesc Fabregas's side at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, a stadium overlooking the lake and one of Serie A's most distinctive venues. The match comes after the international break under Gian Piero Gasperini. Ticket sales for the away section began Friday 2 October at 15:00 through Como's official ticketing system and close at 19:00 on Saturday 10 October. An AS Roma Card is required to purchase, and no away tickets will be sold at the stadium on match day. Roma recommends supporters travel only if they already hold a valid ticket. Final information on access and any local authority restrictions should be checked on the AS Roma ticketing page and Como's official communications. Visiting supporters must verify the assembly point and authorised routes before departure. Roma is approximately 650–700 kilometres from Como by road, requiring seven to eight hours' travel via the A1 motorway towards Milan and then the A9 towards Como–Chiasso. Train is often more practical: from Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina, high-speed services reach Milano Centrale with a regional connection onwards to Como San Giovanni, taking four and a half to six hours depending on connections. Como San Giovanni station is close to the waterfront and about 10–15 minutes' walk from the stadium. The stadium Giuseppe Sinigaglia, inaugurated in 1927 and named after rower Giuseppe Sinigaglia, holds around 12,000 spectators and sits in the public gardens quarter near the lake. On match day, temporary road closures may affect viale Sinigaglia, viale Puecher, viale Masia and nearby streets; separate routes for away supporters take precedence over normal routes. Parking near the stadium during matches is not recommended—alternatives such as Como Camerlata car park, linked to the centre by public transport, are preferable. Attractions include Como's Duomo in the historic centre, the Tempio Voltiano museum dedicated to Alessandro Volta on the waterfront near the stadium (open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, last entry 17:30), and Villa Olmo, a neoclassical villa accessible by lakeside walk from Piazza Cavour, though currently undergoing restoration. The waterfront offers an ideal spot for those with limited time. However, the Centomiglia del Lario motor-racing event is taking place 9–11 October with ferry suspensions between Como, Blevio and Cernobbio from 12:00 to 17:00, so official notices should be checked before planning lake excursions. Accommodation options include the B&B HOTEL Como City Center on viale Innocenzo XI and the Hotel Como on via Mentana.

Mile Svilar's availability for Roma's Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October is uncertain after he sustained a finger injury during the match against Inter. The goalkeeper has not trained with the squad in recent days, and optimism has diminished as the match approaches. Pierluigi Gollini, who arrived in January 2025, stands ready to deputise. Since his arrival in the capital, Gollini has played only once — against Panathinaikos in the final matchday of last season's UEFA Europa League group phase. Gian Piero Gasperini will make his final decision at today's training session. Roma face tactical decisions elsewhere ahead of the 12:30 kickoff on matchday six. Behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, one of Rodrigo Mora, Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will operate in the attacking midfield role. Marten de Roon will replace the injured Bryan Cristante in the centre of midfield, partnering Manu Koné. Wesley lines up at left back, with a contest between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli for the right flank. The back three consists of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The squad departs for Como today.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are among Premier League clubs tracking Emanuele Lulli, Roma's young defender, according to reports in England. Scouts from the English clubs had initially focused on Wesley at Roma, but their attention has also turned to Lulli, a 2007-born product of Roma's academy. Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also reported to be monitoring the player. Lulli has established himself as an important part of Gasperini's Roma squad this season. The player hopes to feature in tomorrow's match at Como. Separately, Roma have opened talks with the player over a contract renewal, with both parties aiming to extend his current agreement.

Gian Piero Gasperini faces a series of tactical decisions ahead of Roma's trip to Como, with the international break having left several squad members fatigued and the imminent Champions League fixture against Real Madrid looming large in his planning. In midfield, Marten De Roon is set to anchor the team, on course to reach 362 appearances under Gasperini's management, filling the void left by the absence of Bryan Cristante. The most significant selection puzzle centres on the attacking midfield position behind the strike pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé returned to Roma only on Thursday morning after a lengthy journey from Argentina and has completed just one training session with the squad, making him vulnerable to dropping to the bench. That has opened the door for Rodrigo Mora, the young Portuguese midfielder who has impressed in Under-21 international football and has caught the eye in training at Trigoria. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains another option, having used the two-week break to focus on his fitness and condition. On the right flank, Nahuel Molina faces competition from young squad member Emanuele Lulli, who could be handed a starting role to give the Argentine a rest ahead of the European encounter. Wesley is expected to start at left-back after recovering from a muscle problem picked up before the international break. In defence, Evan N'Dicka looks favourites to complete the back three alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso, with Leonardo Balerdi likely to miss out due to staggered return times for the South American contingent. Roma will lean on the attacking quality of Dybala and Malen, with the Argentine chasing an important away goal and the Dutch forward looking to maintain his impressive goalscoring run in a Roma shirt. Defensive solidity, which saw the club concede only 34 goals in Serie A last season, will be critical as Roma test themselves against Cesc Fabregas's Como.