Stramaccioni: Dybala in peak form, Roma need left winger to chase the title

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 have built a new confidence under Gian Piero Gasperini that goes beyond the silverware won under previous managers. The club's third-place finish in Serie A last season marked not the summit of their ambitions but the beginning of a process of sustained growth. After winning the UEFA Europa Conference League, the squad spent months looking inward, struggling to process the achievement as anything more than a destination. That inward focus shifted when Roma narrowly missed qualification for the Champions League in Budapest—a turning point that reframed trophies as waypoints rather than final chapters. Now, with European qualification secured and a clearer understanding of their trajectory, the players have moved beyond celebrating the podium finish and into serious preparation for further advancement. Gasperini's coaching has been central to this shift in mentality. The squad no longer carries the complex of missing the Champions League; instead, they grasp that the margins for improvement can take them even further. The manager has instilled the view that third place was not an arrival but a launch pad. This awareness will be tested immediately. Roma travel to Como, where they have lost in each of the last two seasons under both Claudio Ranieri and Gasperini. A victory would move them clear of Fabregas's side and overturn the perception that Roma's fixtures are the most difficult among the league's top clubs—Inter and Lazio face comparatively straightforward opponents on paper, while Juventus and Milan have away trips to Cagliari and Sassuolo that carry real danger but are far from insurmountable. Beyond Como lies Mourinho's return with Roma against Real Madrid, a match guaranteed to stir emotion. Yet the article notes that a genuine test of football also awaits, against a Real Madrid side that is not flawless. Following that comes a clash with De Rossi's Genoa. The size of the gap between Roma and Genoa is described as gigantic, meaning sentiment for Roma's former captain will not excuse any lapse in focus or performance.

Roma travel to Como on Saturday 10 October 2026 in a fixture that carries multiple subplots. The match will pit Wesley, Roma's Brazilian defender, against Como's Yan Couto, another Brazilian fullback operating as an attacking outlet. Both remain without a goal this season but have featured for Brazil's senior squad—Couto with 4 appearances and Wesley with 8. The encounter at the Sinigaglia will serve as a meaningful indicator ahead of Carlo Ancelotti's future selections for the national team. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini stands on the brink of a significant milestone: victory would deliver his 300th win in Serie A, a threshold previously crossed only by Trapattoni, Allegri, Spalletti and Rocco—all of whom won the Scudetto. Roma's record against Como in the last ten Serie A meetings offers encouragement: they have never drawn, winning seven times and losing three. The midfield and attacking line remain in flux, with Matías Soulé, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Rodrigo Mora competing for the attacking midfield role; Soulé has returned from international duty but remains in contention for the starting lineup. Paulo Dybala and Como's Nico Paz will showcase an Argentine dimension to the match. Dybala arrives with 4 assists but without a goal in the season so far, while Paz has scored once and supplied one assist. Forward Donyell Malen and Como's Christos Douvikas share a formative Dutch connection: Malen developed through PSV's academy and became the club's second-youngest player in history to score at least 10 goals in three consecutive seasons by age 22. Douvikas established himself at Utrecht with 32 goals in 77 matches before winning the Eredivisie's top-scorer award in 2022–23 with 19 goals.

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.

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.

Rodrigo Mora has emerged as a contender for a starting berth on the attack ahead of Roma's visit to Como on 11 October at 12:30, with his recent overhead-kick goal for Portugal Under 21 catching the eye of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and supporters alike. The young midfielder from Porto is in sharp form and poses a direct threat to Matías Soulé's place in the side. Soulé is hampered by fatigue from a long journey back from Argentina and sparse training time, raising the prospect he may begin on the bench alongside Leonardo Balerdi to allow fresher legs into the line-up. Should Mora start, he would complete a front three alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Dybala remains fully available after Roma firmly blocked his departure for Argentina's farewell match for retiring Messi, keeping the forward at the club's Trigoria training ground to concentrate entirely on the league campaign and title contention. The midfielder picture is complicated by Bryan Cristante's knee injury, opening a contest between the experience of Marten de Roon and the attacking thrust of Niccolò Pisilli. De Roon appears favoured to provide defensive balance, though Pisilli offers running power and forward involvement.

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.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a pre-match press conference on 10 October ahead of Roma's fixture at Como on 12 October at 12:30, confirming that goalkeeper Mile Svilar will miss approximately one month after suffering a stress fracture to his foot during a training session. Svilar sustained the injury a week ago following a push during the session; the fracture is not displaced but requires around a month of recovery, with medical staff evaluating whether to insert a screw—a procedure that would extend his absence. Pierluigi Gollini will take his place in goal. Gasperini described the injury as "a bad blow", but noted that in long seasons such setbacks can occur. He added: "He will be back after the break. It is a difficult situation, but in lengthy campaigns you can face unexpected problems of this type. Gollini will play and he will have the opportunity to become the important goalkeeper he has been." Konstantinos Koulierakis is also unavailable, having sustained a contusion while on international duty, though Gasperini expects him to return on Monday. Bryan Cristante was noted as the only player to underperform during a full-squad training session on 9 October. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who benefited from recovery time during the international break, is ready to start. Gasperini defended Gollini's credentials despite limited recent playing time: "I was the only one to use him with continuity at Atalanta. He is an excellent reserve goalkeeper and now has the chance to play many matches. When he was at Atalanta he also became Italy's third-choice keeper. He has always trained well and is a valuable player. He deserves everyone's confidence—we are certainly not talking about a goalkeeper with no career experience." Gasperini discussed Roma's tactical outlook and the challenge ahead. "The Inter side, in the judgment of almost everyone, appears to be one step above the others," he said. "We played a very good match against Inter—from my perspective, an extremely positive one—and we must build on that performance. Como, like us, Juventus, Milan, Napoli, Atalanta and perhaps other surprises, form part of that group of teams competing for the best positions behind Inter, hoping that occasionally they might stumble." He confirmed that Wesley has performed excellently in the early season, notably against Inter, and outlined his rotation strategy: "Given that we must play nine matches in twenty-seven days, I believe there will be real opportunity to rotate all the players." On defending set-piece situations after the interval, Gasperini suggested the issue stemmed more from individual episodes than a systemic defensive problem. He also addressed Roma's passionate fanbase, stating: "I do not have to win anyone over—it is the opposite. The people, with the enormous passion they have for this team, infect me and the players. The situation is reversed. Playing surrounded by this passion and enthusiasm, with a stadium always so full, I believe is something extremely favourable and positive, which the squad and players feel in a particular way." Gasperini emphasised the importance of squad depth given the fixture congestion. He will have 18 outfield players plus Gollini available, with 16 starting in matches. "I hope that message gets through," he said. "Today I do not know who will play against Real Madrid, against Genoa, against Slovan, or in all the matches we face until Sassuolo. I simply hope we do not suffer further injuries like Svilar's." On Roma's ownership, he noted: "For a team to become great, as I understand it, I believe it is important also to have an ownership close by. I came here after speaking with Dan and Ryan, and that was precisely what convinced me that important work could be done. I hope there is still the same idea and vision."

Roma trained on Wednesday afternoon as Gasperini's squad prepared for Sunday's midday kickoff at Como. The coach was reunited with Argentine trio Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro, who returned to Italy on Tuesday morning after international duty. The session included running, small-sided matches and drills in rainy conditions as the squad readies itself for a demanding October fixture list starting with the Sinigaglia away trip. Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Thursday, with Real Madrid's visit to the Olimpico following on Wednesday as the next major challenge. Away from the pitch, the Friedkin Group has announced the sale of Everton, a decision that has sparked optimism among sections of Roma's support who have long urged the ownership to concentrate fully on the Serie A club. The move has prompted contrasting reactions, with English Everton supporters responding differently to the announcement.

Roma held a training session at the Fulvio Bernardini centre on the afternoon of 8 October as preparation ramped up ahead of Sunday's Serie A fixture at Como, which kicks off at 12:30. The session, conducted in heavy rain but with a relaxed atmosphere mixing athletic work, running and tactical drills, saw the final reunion of the South American contingent with the rest of the squad. Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro, who returned to Italy on the morning of 8 October, completed the entire session and put themselves at the disposal of the coaching staff. CEO John Galantic attended the training to show the board's proximity during this phase of preparation. Former Roma legend Antonio Tempestilli, who celebrated his 67th birthday, reflected on the approaching match in an interview. He spent 12 seasons at Roma between 1981 and 1993, split evenly with Como. Tempestilli highlighted the risks of the long international break, saying: "A break that long can cause some problems with many players away on international duty: you have to see if there has been fatigue, hope everyone has returned fit. But that applies to everyone, starting with Como. Now you have to switch back on the mentality that Roma showed before the break. Gasperini is a guarantee in that sense." Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference at Trigoria tomorrow at 13:30. Elsewhere, Vincenzo Montella's tenure as Turkey's head coach has officially ended. The Turkish Football Federation announced today that its board formally removed him from his position following a series of four consecutive defeats in the recent UEFA Nations League cycle. Montella, an ex-Roma player and former manager of the club, had held the role since September 2023.

Roma's squad completed an afternoon training session at the Fulvio Bernardini centre on 8 October, stepping up their intensity ahead of the imminent resumption of the Serie A campaign. The session, conducted in heavy rain but with a relaxed atmosphere of athletic work, running and tactical small-sided games, saw the final reunion of the South American internationals with the rest of the group. Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro returned to Italy on the morning of 8 October and took part in the full session, putting themselves at the disposal of Gian Piero Gasperini's coaching staff. Roma's chief executive John Galantic was present on the touchline to witness the preparations. Bryan Cristante remains the only absentee, sidelined by a knee problem that will keep him out of the squad for the forthcoming trip to Como. Gasperini will deploy Marten de Roon to cover Cristante's absence in midfield, with the experienced Dutch midfielder starting alongside Manu Koné to provide defensive cover, midfield control and physical presence in Roma's play. The Como fixture marks the beginning of a demanding fixture list in October, with Gasperini using this session to refine final tactical details and prepare the group for the weeks ahead.