Ten-man Roma hold Como to a goalless draw

Roma took a point against Como after the sides played out a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Reduced to ten men when Donyell Malen was sent off in the 53rd minute, Roma resisted their hosts’ pressure until the end.

Como had more than half an hour to make its numerical advantage count, but Gian Piero Gasperini’s team defended resolutely and denied the hosts a winner. Como did create chances: Pierluigi Gollini, in particular, kept out an effort from Nico Paz. Como’s coach praised his players’ character and their commitment to their principles against a side coached by Gasperini.

Como coach Fabregas also voiced his frustration at the lack of finishing: “We had 27 shots at Frosinone and 19 today, and scored no goals. It is difficult to explain. We had opportunities to do better. The technical detail that allows you to win or get through on goal makes the difference.” He also disputed the dismissal, arguing that Roma should not have been the only team to receive a red card.

Gasperini, too, questioned the decision. “Stopped on a frame, it is obvious, but in live action, in terms of intention and the way it happened, it was not contact for a sending-off,” he said.

The Roma coach focused above all on his side’s response, which he felt showed progress from last season. “It was not so much the draw itself, but the spirit with which everyone played. It was not easy to play a third of the match with one fewer player against this Como. We did it with great clarity. Last year we lost; this year we had a different feeling,” he said.