Roma arrived at the Sinigaglia with the sense of a season being tested by both opposition and absence. Before facing Como, sporting director Tony D’Amico framed the occasion as a meeting between two strong sides whose ideas differ, even if the preparation time had been limited.
The coach and the club
D’Amico said Roma could still draw on the work completed over recent months as they prepared for a match he expected to be entertaining. The meeting with Como, he suggested, would bring together teams with distinct principles rather than a routine away assignment.
The more pressing concern for the club was the injury list. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar and midfielder Bryan Cristante have both suffered problems that will keep them out for an extended period, depriving Roma of two important members of the squad.
D’Amico expressed disappointment at losing them, but insisted that the group must now respond collectively. Those brought into the side, he said, will have added motivation and should not treat the responsibility as a burden.
The sporting director also addressed Lorenzo Pellegrini’s place in the project. Roma regard the midfielder’s contract renewal as comparable to a new signing, with D’Amico describing the players who committed their futures to the club as the first additions of the campaign.
Pellegrini has come through difficult months, but his summer work has given him fresh purpose. Roma remain convinced that he can make a significant contribution to the team over the course of the championship.
