Roma hold Como to a draw with ten men, but Svilar's injury raises major questions ahead of Real Madrid clash
Roma played out a 0-0 draw against Como at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on 11 October 2026 in the sixth round of Italy's Serie A, in a match marked by Donyell Malen's straight red card, a change of referee and an appearance by reserve goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini. Gian Piero Gasperini's side spent almost the entire closing stage with ten men after the Dutch forward was sent off in the 53rd minute, but managed to avoid defeat. The result preserved Roma's unbeaten league record, although it did not resolve questions about their attacking efficiency and squad depth. The biggest concern, however, lies beyond the result itself: first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar must remain sidelined for at least a month because of a fractured toe. His absence is particularly significant because Roma host Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Wednesday, 14 October, in the second round of the Champions League league phase.
The match against Como was more than a test of form following the international break. According to a report by competition organisers Lega Serie A, the encounter brought together two teams hoping to remain in contention for the highest positions, while Roma's early attacks and the hosts' later initiative demonstrated how quickly the balance of power can change in a single move. Cesc Fàbregas's Como failed to secure victory despite enjoying a numerical advantage for almost forty minutes, while Roma went from initially threatening to claim all three points to finding themselves in a position where they had to protect one. Given the circumstances, the final 0-0 was a valuable point for the visitors, although they also missed an opportunity to win a direct encounter against an ambitious opponent.
Roma make the stronger start as Pellegrini hits the post
Gasperini's team attempted to deny Como time to organise their attacks through high pressing from the opening minute. Paulo Dybala threatened early following a move involving Malen and Lorenzo Pellegrini, but his effort did not seriously trouble goalkeeper Jean Butez. One of the visitors' best chances came around the tenth minute, when Pellegrini struck the post with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. As reported by news agency ANSA, Roma controlled much of the game during this period through a more aggressive approach and by winning possession, but were unable to turn their early superiority into a lead. Dybala tried again later, while Malen battled with the home defenders inside the penalty area, but both goals remained untouched until half-time.
Como were far from mere spectators. Nico Paz, one of the main organisers of the home side's play, attempted to find space between Roma's lines, while Maxence Caqueret produced a dangerous shot from outside the penalty area. During one attack, Paz tried to chip Gollini, but the Roma goalkeeper reacted in time. According to Serie A's official review, the first half had already shown that both teams had ways of creating chances, but also that their defences were successfully closing down the final shot. Fàbregas relied on possession and combination play, while Gasperini favoured more direct attacks, pressing and gaining ground more quickly. The encounter therefore lacked neither action nor intensity, even though the scoreboard remained goalless until the final whistle.
Malen's straight red card changes the course of the match
The turning point came in the 53rd minute. Malen slid towards Kaiki in an attempt to win the ball, and referee Michael Fabbri judged the challenge dangerous, immediately showing a straight red card. In its analysis of the footage, Sky Sport noted that the Dutch forward touched the ball but endangered his opponent with a raised leg; because of the nature of the incident, the video assistant referee did not request an on-field review. Roma protested, believing Malen himself had been illegally challenged immediately beforehand. Nevertheless, the decision stood, leaving the visitors without the only conventional striker in their starting line-up.
After the match, Gasperini stressed in comments published on Roma's official website that he had seen no intention on Malen's part to injure his opponent. At the same time, he acknowledged that the manner of the challenge looked bad and that the dismissal disrupted the rhythm of an interesting match. These are two separate matters: the coach's interpretation of intent does not change the fact that the referee considered the challenge dangerous enough to warrant a straight dismissal. Any potential disciplinary punishment for subsequent league matches will be determined by the relevant Italian authorities, and its duration should not be assumed in advance. Malen's Serie A red card also does not automatically mean he will be suspended against Real Madrid, as UEFA competitions operate under their own disciplinary regulations.
The numerical advantage allowed Como to move play towards Roma's penalty area. Fàbregas strengthened his attack by introducing Jesús Rodríguez, Martin Baturina and Jayden Addai, while Gasperini increasingly had to concentrate on protecting the space in front of his goalkeeper. Perrone sent one promising opportunity well over the crossbar, while Paz and Rodríguez continued trying to break through the crowded defence. Roma, meanwhile, introduced Leonardo Balerdi in place of Mario Hermoso and later brought on Devyne Rensch, aiming to preserve the solidity of their defensive lines. The hosts enjoyed the initiative, but their finishing was not accurate enough for their extra player to produce a victory.
Another unusual detail was a stoppage caused by an injury to the referee. According to ANSA, Fabbri was unable to continue officiating midway through the second half and was replaced by fourth official Simone Sozza. The change briefly interrupted the rhythm before the home side resumed their pressure. Como's official match report records seven minutes of second-half stoppage time, during which Roma held firm. The home crowd was therefore left without a goal to celebrate, while the visiting players could point to their discipline during a period when they were barely able to organise sustained attacks.
Gollini passes his first test as Roma's first-choice goalkeeper
Pierluigi Gollini played in Como in place of the injured Svilar, and his performance was one of the most important developments for Roma. With several timely interventions, including saves from Nico Paz's attempts, he helped keep a clean sheet. According to Lega Serie A's official report, he also saved an effort with which Paz attempted to surprise him by lifting the ball over him, while in the second half he had to remain focused during long periods of home possession. His contribution was not limited to goal-line saves: in a match where Roma needed breathing space after the dismissal, every secure catch and accurate clearance reduced the pressure on their defensive line. The clean sheet against Como does not guarantee the same outcome against Real Madrid, but it gives Gollini an initial boost in confidence ahead of a more demanding opponent.
After the match, Gasperini particularly highlighted his distribution with both feet and hands, describing him as focused and precise. It is important to emphasise that Gollini was not facing completely unfamiliar demands from the coach. The two had previously worked together at Atalanta, where the goalkeeper enjoyed a period of regular appearances, something Gasperini had already highlighted at his press conference on 10 October. The coach explained then that his reserve goalkeeper deserved trust and an opportunity for continuity, rather than being treated as someone still needing to become accustomed to serious competition. Against Como, Gollini provided the first concrete evidence supporting that assessment, although the European fixture will present an entirely different level of pressure.
What is known about Mile Svilar's injury and possible return?
Svilar suffered his injury during training, not in the match against Como. On 10 October, Gasperini confirmed that it was a non-displaced fracture in the area of the fifth toe, sustained while pushing off during training, and that recovery would take at least a month. According to the coach, the club was also considering the possibility of additional stabilisation of the injured area, including the insertion of a screw, although such a procedure had not been presented as a final decision. Gasperini also clarified that the earlier blow Svilar sustained against Inter was not the direct cause of the current fracture: the goalkeeper had recovered from that contusion and resumed normal training. This resolved possible confusion about the timing and circumstances of the injury.
The estimate of at least a month's absence means Roma cannot count on Svilar against Real Madrid, and he is also expected to miss several subsequent domestic and European matches. Gasperini linked the possibility of his return to the next international break in November, while noting that the final rehabilitation period would depend on treatment and healing. It would therefore be premature to announce a firm return date or claim that surgery is certain. For a goalkeeper whose every save involves pushing off, landing, changing direction and using his feet, a full recovery is more important than an accelerated return for a particular match. Roma must therefore plan the upcoming part of their schedule with Gollini as their first choice, unless medical developments lead to a different confirmed decision.
Svilar's absence also affects the way Roma build attacks. Gasperini's system requires the goalkeeper to participate in distribution, recognise pressure promptly and work with the centre-backs to create space for playing out from defence. Gollini demonstrated some of these qualities against Como, but understanding with the defensive line develops through regular appearances. Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka and the other defenders will also have to maintain the level of coordination that proved crucial in securing a point after Malen's dismissal. Consequently, the change of goalkeeper is not simply a matter of individual saves, but also of how the entire team organises itself when out of possession and when regaining the ball.
Real Madrid visit the Olimpico on 14 October at 9 p.m.
According to the official schedules published by Roma and UEFA, Roma face Real Madrid on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, with kick-off at 9 p.m. Central European Summer Time at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. It is the second match of the Champions League league phase for both teams. Roma opened their European campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahçe, while Real Madrid defeated Inter 2-1. This means the Italian side are seeking their first victory in this season's competition against their Spanish opponents, while the visitors have an opportunity to continue their successful start to the European campaign. Given the balance of strength, particular attention will be paid to whether Roma can withstand pressure while retaining sufficient attacking threat.
The fixture also carries considerable symbolic significance. In a club announcement marking the start of ticket sales, Roma emphasised that the Champions League was returning to the Olimpico after more than seven years, for the first time since their home match against Porto on 12 February 2019. Furthermore, Real Madrid are managed by José Mourinho, Roma's former coach, whose return to Rome adds an emotional dimension to the encounter. Following the Como match, Gasperini warned of the quality of Madrid's squad and recalled the strong bond Mourinho had established with the Roman supporters. Nevertheless, the current coach stressed that today's Roma are a different team from the one managed by the Portuguese coach, placing the fixture in the context of changed players and footballing philosophies.
Roma and the Madrid club also share a longer history of European encounters. Roma's official historical review recalls their meeting on 11 September 2001 at the Olimpico, when Real won 2-1 in a match played under the shadow of the terrorist attacks in the United States. That episode does not determine the sporting significance of the upcoming fixture, but it demonstrates that meetings between these clubs extend beyond any single season and often leave a lasting mark on their histories. The current context is considerably different: Roma enter the match with a new coach and their first-choice goalkeeper injured, while Real arrive as opponents who have already defeated an Italian representative at the start of their European campaign.
The schedule leaves little room for recovery
The European fixture will not mark the end of Roma's demanding period. According to the club calendar, the home league match against Genoa follows Real Madrid on 17 October, followed by a Champions League fixture against Slovan Bratislava on 20 October, while later in the league phase they also face away trips to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. Even before the visit to Como, Gasperini had warned of a run of nine matches in 27 days, making it essential to distribute playing time and use most of the available players. Svilar's injury makes every rotation more important in such a schedule, while Malen's red card raises a separate question about a potential absence in the Italian league.
The draw in Como therefore delivered two seemingly contradictory messages. Roma showed that they can protect a result even when playing with ten men for a prolonged period, but at the same time they failed to win a match in which they had created serious chances before the dismissal. Gollini completed his first appearance in his new role without conceding, but the full scale of his challenge will become clear when he faces Real Madrid's attack. Svilar's return remains dependent on treatment and medical assessment, while Gasperini must decide how to maintain defensive stability without abandoning a more proactive approach. The answer will begin to emerge as early as 14 October at the Olimpico, in what will be Roma's first home test in this season's Champions League.
Sources:
- Lega Serie A – official report on the Como – Roma match and its key incidents (link)
- Como 1907 – official match report, line-ups, substitutions, dismissal and attendance figures (link)
- AS Roma – Gasperini's comments after the match against Como (link)
- AS Roma – pre-Como press conference, confirmation of Svilar's injury and recovery estimate (link)
- ANSA – match developments and replacement of the referee (link)
- Sky Sport – analysis of Malen's dismissal and the refereeing decision (link)
- UEFA – 2026/2027 Champions League league-phase schedule and results, and disciplinary suspension rules (link; link)
- AS Roma – official schedule, Champions League return to the Olimpico and background to the Real Madrid fixture (link; link)
- AS Roma – historical review of the match against Real Madrid on 11 September 2001 (link)