Vierchowod: Playing Roma fuelled my passion, now I cycle around Como

Real Madrid defeated Villareal 1-0 at the Bernabéu four days before their Champions League match against Roma at the Olimpico. Diomande scored the opening goal for Madrid. Vinicius was sent off 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute after appearing to pull Nathan Saliba's hair during an incident in which he had scored what would have been a second goal, later ruled out. The red card puts Vinicius at risk of suspension for both the Clásico and the Roma fixture. Valverde, who provided the assist for Diomande's goal, and Mbappé both played the full 90 minutes and are candidates to start in Roma's colours in the coming match.

Roma Primavera drew 1–1 with Empoli at Tre Fontane in a result that disappointed head coach Scala. Camara gave Roma an early lead, but Empoli equalised from a penalty by Perin before half-time, and the scoreline remained unchanged in the second half. The result leaves Roma second in the Primavera standings on 12 points, level with both Empoli and Bologna but two points behind Inter at the top. Scala acknowledged Empoli's qualities but was critical of his side's intensity. "There are also the merits of Empoli," he said. "They have never lost so far. They are an orderly team in the defensive phase and tried to attack us in transition. They had their merits, but we were too far below our usual level. I did not see that fighting spirit and that football poison we need to win matches, which in other situations has helped us bring home results. That must be the foundation for achieving any result and to grow both individually and collectively." Scala rejected the notion that proximity to a forthcoming UEFA Youth League match against Real Madrid had affected the performance. "No, only this match was important. We knew that with a win we could go top of the table and that would have given us even more confidence and strength ahead of the Youth League game. But we were focused only on Empoli." He stressed the need to move forward quickly: "We have to reset and also learn from these poor matches to improve and grow. Starting with Wednesday's match, which we must face at our best."

Roma travel to Como for a Serie A match against Como at the Sinigaglia on 11 October at 12:30, marking the club's return to league action after a three-week break. The away section is sold out, and Roma have confirmed that no additional tickets will be available for purchase on matchday. Roma's official statement stressed that supporters should only travel to Como if they already hold a valid ticket. The club has recommended fans make the journey only with a legitimate match ticket, in accordance with local and public safety authority directives. No tickets will be sold at the ground on the day of the fixture. The stadium gates will open at 10:30. Access to the stadium will be permitted exclusively to those who already possess a ticket.

Roma travel to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday 11 October at 12:30 for their sixth Serie A match of the season against Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas. Roma come off the international break with 13 points from five matches and an unbeaten record of four consecutive wins and a 2–2 draw with Inter. Como sit on 10 points and look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, a 2–0 loss at Frosinone. Gasperini's side face significant injury losses. Mile Svilar has suffered a non-displaced stress fracture to the fifth toe of his foot and will be out for at least a month, with Pierluigi Gollini taking his place in goal. Bryan Cristante is sidelined by knee inflammation, and Konstantinos Koulierakis has a strong contusion from his national team commitments; the Greek defender is expected back next week. Both are absent from the squad list. Roma's expected formation is 3–4–2–1: Gollini in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks; Marten de Roon and Manu Koné in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield; and Donyell Malen leading the attack. N'Dicka is favoured over Leonardo Balerdi, who returned later from Argentina. Wesley has fully recovered. De Roon's appearance would mark one of his first starts since arriving at Roma. Lorenzo Pellegrini is fully fit after the break helped restore him to peak condition, but is expected to begin from the bench. Matías Soulé returned later following Argentina duty. Como will line up in 4–2–3–1 with Butez in goal; Yan Couto, Jacobo Ramón, Chalobah and Álex Valle in defence; Da Cunha and Perrone in midfield; Diao, Nico Paz and Baturina in the attacking midfield; and Douvikas leading the attack. Moise Kean is unavailable due to a physical problem sustained with his national team and will miss around seven to ten days. The match is broadcast exclusively on DAZN, available via the DAZN app on smart TV, smartphone, tablet, console and computer, and on DAZN 1 (channel 214) for Sky subscribers who have activated the DAZN option. Referee Michael Fabbri (Ravenna) will be in charge.

Roma face Como at the Sinigaglia after the international break, with head coach Gasperini managing several selection decisions ahead of the fixture. The Giallorossi will be without goalkeeper Svilar, defender Koulierakis and midfielder Cristante due to unavailability. Gasperini's expected approach centres on de Roon in midfield, with Soulé deployed in a supporting role behind the strike partnership of Dybala and Malen. The lineup suggests a fluid attacking setup designed to maximize Roma's creativity in the forward areas after the halt for international fixtures.

Gasperini is navigating a packed nine-match schedule over the next 29 days with a squad stretched by absences, beginning with tomorrow's trip to Como and a midweek Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. Mile Svilar, Roma's first-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined by a lengthy injury, forcing Pierluigi Gollini into his first Serie A appearance for the club. Captain Bryan Cristante will also miss at least the next two matches, limiting Gasperini's midfield options. The coach intends to use squad rotation across both encounters without overdoing it, deploying 16 available players and rotating every department, particularly during the match itself, to keep players fresh and sharp. Changes will be concentrated on the flanks and in attack, where Gasperini plans to deploy his bench—a habitual method of his—and make best use of the wider midfielders and forwards. Ten players have been alerted for potential involvement: Molina, Lulli, Rensch, Wesley, Dybala, Malen, Soulé, Pellegrini, Castro and Mora. Gasperini will apply different structures to each department based on form and opponent; on the flanks, form and the opposing side will shape decisions, while attacking characteristics of individual players will dictate choices there. Each player effectively has a counterpart regardless of experience or age. Santiago Castro deputises for Donyell Malen at centre-forward. With Lorenzo Pellegrini's return, Matías Soulé will rotate with the former captain. The final pairing pairs high quality: Rodrigo Mora will stand in for Paulo Dybala. Defensive and midfield options are more limited, with Konstantinos Koulierakis unavailable and Cristante ruled out. At Como, Evan N'Dicka will start while Marten de Roon makes his first appearance from the beginning. Leonardo Balerdi and Niccolò Pisilli, recently back from international duty, are first changes off the bench.