Roma left Como with a point and a sense that their season is asking for resolve as much as results. Gian Piero Gasperini saw his side reduced to 10 men after Donyell Malen’s dismissal, yet praised the discipline shown in defending a draw against a strong Como team.
Key takeaways
- Malen was sent off after an incident Gasperini believes was wrongly interpreted as violent conduct.
- Paulo Dybala was praised for his sharpness and overall display, despite missing a first-half opening.
- Pierluigi Gollini impressed in place of Mile Svilar, both with his saves and his distribution.
- Roma face Real Madrid on Wednesday, Genoa on Saturday and Slovan Bratislava after that.
- Gasperini felt Roma had given themselves a genuine chance of winning before the red card changed the match.
A point built on order in Como
The final whistle brought a restrained celebration from Gasperini. He had arrived in Como intending to take all three points, at a ground where football, the lake and the club’s wider glamour meet, but Malen’s expulsion forced Roma into a very different kind of afternoon.
The coach nevertheless found plenty to value. He described the performance as substantial and singled out Dybala, while making clear that the collective effort mattered just as much. In his view, Roma had protected the ball well and Dybala again looked capable of producing the acceleration that defines his best moments.
Dybala had an opportunity to score before the interval, and Gasperini regretted that it did not go in. Even so, he considered the Argentine’s contribution outstanding.
Roma had created several promising situations in the first half, while Como also had a couple of important chances. Gasperini believed his team had looked capable of taking the lead before the contest was altered. Playing roughly two-thirds of the game a man down against Como, he said, inevitably left Roma with regret over what might have been possible at full strength.
Instead, the visitors had to retreat and protect the result. Gasperini credited the players for doing so with composure and organisation, concluding that the draw was an acceptable outcome in the circumstances.
Gasperini disputes Malen decision as Madrid approaches
Gasperini was far less accepting of the dismissal itself. He argued that Malen had first been repeatedly fouled and held, and said it was difficult to portray the forward’s reaction as an act of violent play.
“There was a movement after he had been held, and he also made contact with the ball,” Gasperini said. “The jump is the unpleasant part, certainly, but I do not see an intention from Malen to hurt anyone.”
He felt the episode had diminished what had been an attractive match. Gasperini’s broader objection was to decisions being judged through isolated still images rather than the whole sequence of play. Football, he argued, must be assessed through actions in their context, otherwise the reality of an incident can be distorted.
Roma’s response was helped by Gollini, who stepped in for Svilar. Gasperini said the goalkeeper had performed well not only in his core duties but also when playing out with both hands and feet. He added that the team had helped create the right conditions for Gollini, while stressing that the goalkeeper has the qualities required to cover for Svilar.
There is little time for reflection. Real Madrid arrive on Wednesday, followed by Genoa on Saturday and then Slovan Bratislava. Gasperini described Madrid as one of Europe’s strongest sides, with exceptional players both on the pitch and among the substitutes, strengthened further by an excellent transfer campaign.
He also acknowledged the affection still felt for José Mourinho, whose spell left a deep mark on Roma supporters. But Gasperini insisted that this Roma are built differently from Mourinho’s team. The current group, he said, have given him considerable satisfaction, and their showing at Como demanded spirit, fitness and heart as well as tactical discipline.
