Roma’s goalless draw at Como extended their unbeaten start to the Serie A season to six matches, a milestone the Giallorossi had not reached since Rudi Garcia’s 2013–14 campaign.
Although Gian Piero Gasperini’s side left the Sinigaglia with some frustration after their first-half opportunities, their response to Donyell Malen’s dismissal offered another encouraging sign of the team’s progress.
Roma Show Resilience After Malen Red Card
Roma threatened to take the lead before the interval, with Paulo Dybala missing a promising opportunity and Lorenzo Pellegrini striking the post.
The match changed in the 53rd minute when referee Michael Fabbri showed Malen a straight red card for a sliding challenge. From that point, Roma had to balance their attacking ambitions with protecting a result away from home.
The Giallorossi responded with composure, limiting Como’s opportunities and securing a clean sheet despite playing much of the second half with ten men.
The draw leaves Roma on 14 points from six league matches, two behind leaders Inter, with four wins and two draws.
Gasperini Praises Roma’s Spirit
For Gasperini, the most satisfying aspect was the way his players handled the setback.
“I wasn’t celebrating so much because of the draw itself, but because of the spirit of the team. It wasn’t easy to play a third of the match with a numerical disadvantage. We did it with composure,” he explained.
“Last year, we lost here with ten men. This year, there was a different feeling.”
That contrast helps explain why the coach viewed the result positively, even after a first half in which Roma had created chances to win.
Best Unbeaten League Start Since Garcia’s Roma
Roma last went unbeaten through their opening six Serie A fixtures in 2013–14, when Garcia’s team began with ten consecutive victories and ultimately stretched their unbeaten league run to 17 matches.
Gasperini’s side remain some distance from matching that sequence, but their opening results provide a solid foundation. Roma are also unbeaten when including their Champions League opener, a draw away to Fenerbahçe.
With Real Madrid next at the Olimpico, the challenge becomes greater. The performance at Como nevertheless showed a team capable of adapting, staying organised and protecting a result when circumstances turn against them.
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