One point each. Como and Roma stop each other in a match that says much more than the final result. No goals, but different emotions in this clash at the top, which once again sees the Giallorossi leave the Como pitch without success, after the two defeats of the previous years. Fabregas' team doesn't manage to win this time, but they tried until the end.
The biancoblù players did well, Roma's resistance was equally valid, penalized by a heavy numerical inferiority: practically the entire second half was played with ten men without Malen, who was sent off. In short, a match that reaffirmed the strength of both, even if it was reasonable to expect at least a few goals from a match like this. Gollini between the posts in place of Svilar is Gasperini's novelty, while Fabregas for the first time renounces Baturina by proposing Caqueret, with the aim of finding greater balance in the center and different solutions in the attacking midfield.
Roma started out stronger, with Dybala giving the impression of having a great day more than he actually would. It is the Argentine, together with Pellegrini and Malen, who builds the first dangerous action, developed from the corner obtained after less than five minutes. But his conclusion is easy for Butez. Como responds with a double attempt by Paz and Da Cunha, easily blocked by the Roma defense, and a high shot by Chalobah.
But it is the pressing of Gasperini's team that gets the better of the first part against a Como team that initially lets them play: and in the tenth minute Pellegrini hits the outside post from the edge. However, the match remains in a balance that no one is able to break, in terms of possession and real opportunities. Flames between 22' and 24', one on each side. Caqueret kicks out a ball recovered from a clumsy rebound by Pellegrini, Malen anticipates Ramon but only manages to hit the outside of the net. And then Dybala, in the 33rd minute, shoots just wide. But they aren't sensational occasions, we reach half-time with the game a bit stagnant.
Changes are needed, which Roma make immediately, with Soulè on the pitch in place of Pellegrini. But it won't be the choices that change the match: after seven minutes the Giallorossi have to give up Malen, who was sent off for a foul against Kaiki. An additional problem for the guests, who had already entered the field less well than Como, who from the beginning of the second half pushed and produced more in front of Gollini. A shot from Paz after two minutes, two excellent ideas from Diao badly exploited first by Perrone, who shot high in the tenth, and then by Douvikas. Gasperini removes Hermoso for Balerdi, but Roma struggle to regain control of the situation.
It's Como who plays the game, and the script doesn't change as the minutes pass. However, the referee changes: in the 22nd minute match director Fabbri stops. Minor injury, which however does not allow him to continue and within a couple of minutes the match resumes with the direction entrusted to the fourth official, Sozza. Time to restart and Como's gusts intensify: a great central shot from Paz on which Gollini intervenes very well and two more corners for Fabregas' team. Who then tries again with the number ten and with Ramon, Roma completely crushed. But it is a dominance that Como, despite trying, is unable to achieve, also thanks to the good resistance of Gasperini's team. The hosts could, in the end, complain about something more. But it is a good point for both at the start of a week that will already see them back on the field on Wednesday in the Champions League.
