Como 2-1 AS Roma: Serie A 2025-26 match report

The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia witnessed a significant turnaround on Monday night as Como secured a 2-1 victory over AS Roma. In a tactical battle between Cesc Fabregas and Piero Gasperini, both sides utilized identical 3-4-2-1 formations, but it was the hosts' second-half adjustments that ultimately dictated the outcome of the match.

The opening

AS Roma began the contest with a clear intent to control the tempo, and their aggressive start was rewarded almost immediately. In the 7th minute, the visitors earned a penalty, which Donyell Malen converted with composure to give Roma an early lead. The goal forced Como to reorganize, as the visitors looked comfortable maintaining their shape and frustrating the home side’s attempts to build through the midfield.

For the remainder of the first half, Roma’s defensive structure held firm. Gasperini’s side effectively congested the central channels, forcing Como to circulate the ball wide. While Como enjoyed periods of possession, they struggled to penetrate the final third, and the sides headed into the interval with the visitors holding a narrow, deserved advantage.

The decisive moment

The complexion of the match shifted dramatically immediately following the break. Fabregas made two proactive substitutions, introducing Marc-Oliver Kempf and Sergi Roberto to inject fresh energy into his side. The impact was near-instantaneous. Just 14 minutes into the second half, Como leveled the scoring when Tassos Douvikas found the back of the net, assisted by a precise delivery from Álex Valle.

The momentum swung decisively in the 64th minute. Roma defender Wesley, who had been cautioned early in the second half, received a second yellow card for a foul, leaving his side to navigate the final half-hour with ten men. The numerical disadvantage proved costly as Roma struggled to manage the increased pressure from the hosts.

Como capitalized on the extra space in the 79th minute. After a period of sustained pressure, Diego Carlos struck the decisive blow, scoring to put the hosts ahead. Despite late attempts by Roma to salvage a point, Como’s defensive discipline ensured they protected their lead through to the final whistle, completing a hard-fought comeback victory.

Looking ahead

The result provides a substantial boost for Como, who demonstrated tactical flexibility and composure under pressure to overcome a deficit against a high-caliber opponent. For AS Roma, the loss serves as a frustrating setback, particularly given the early lead and the disciplinary issues that ultimately hampered their ability to manage the game in the closing stages.