Serie A | Como 0-0 Roma: Giallorossi resist under siege after Malen sees red

Roma were ultimately pleased with the first 0-0 of the Serie A season away to Como, as Donyell Malen was sent off for dangerous play, leaving them down to 10 men for over 30 minutes.

These sides snatched Champions League qualification from more prestigious clubs last season and were hoping to repeat it. The hosts lost Moise Kean to injury on international duty and needed to shake off the surprising 2-0 defeat to Frosinone. The Giallorossi lost Mile Svilar for at least a month to a fractured toe, so Pierluigi Gollini got his first Serie A appearance in two years, while Lorenzo Pellegrini replaced injured Bryan Cristante.

ITALY – OCTOBER 11: Cesc Fabregas, Manager of Como 1907, and Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, embrace before the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Paulo Dybala scuffed a finish straight at Jean Butez after a Donyell Malen knockdown, then Gollini rushed off his line to close down Nico Paz at the near post, but Pellegrini came closest with a strike thumping the base of the upright from the edge of the area on 11 minutes.

Gianluca Mancini's scuffed clearance after an awkward bounce allowed Maxence Caqueret to drill inches wide, then Malen flicked a long Pellegrini ball around Butez, but the angle was too narrow to score.

Gollini made just one appearance last season for Roma in the Europa League, but didn't seem rusty as he rushed out to smother at the feet of Caqueret on a Yan Couto through ball.

ITALY – OCTOBER 11: Wesley of AS Roma is challenged by Assane Diao of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

On the stroke of half-time, Wesley clipped Assane Diao's heel as he was running towards goal, but the referee waved play on and only booked the Como player for dissent, much to the incredulity of Cesc Fabregas. It was an extremely risky situation, but Evan Ndicka's presence perhaps rescued Wesley from a VAR intervention.

The referee was involved again after the restart, because he flashed a straight red card at Malen. The Roma striker lunged into a tackle after a heavy touch, but went over the ball and studs-up on Bruno Kaiki's ankle. It was clumsy more than malicious, but certainly high, late, and somewhat out of control.

ITALY – OCTOBER 11: Donyell Malen of AS Roma reacts after he receives a red card from referee Michael Fabbri during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Como nearly took advantage moments later, but Maxi Perrone ballooned over from 12 yards after Diao sent Wesley to ground, then Tasos Douvikas smashed his finish against the side-netting.

There was an odd situation on 67 minutes when referee Michael Fabbri sustained a knee injury, so had to exchange places with fourth official Simone Sozza for the final 20 minutes.

ITALY – OCTOBER 11: Referee Michael Fabbri receives medical treatment during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gollini flew to palm a Nico Paz snapshot over the bar from the D, and rushed off his line again to deny the Argentina talent on a ball over the top.

Roma were under siege for the final stages, Mancini throwing himself in the way of a Trevoh Chalobah effort and Douvikas skimming the far post with an angled drive in stoppages.