The decisive moment arrived in the 53rd minute, when Donyell Malen was sent off for a challenge on Kaiki. Como then had more than half an hour to exploit their numerical advantage, but Gian Piero Gasperini’s side defended with discipline to prevent the hosts from finding a winner.
Gasperini was particularly pleased with the determination his players showed after the dismissal, believing their response demonstrated progress from last season’s meeting.
“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,” the Roma coach said.
AS Roma had threatened before the break, with Paulo Dybala going close and Lorenzo Pellegrini striking the post. Como also created opportunities, including a Nico Paz effort that goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini managed to keep out.
Cesc Fabregas felt his team had done enough to win, pointing to the number of attempts and the difficulty of turning promising attacking positions into clear chances.
“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,” Fabregas said.
The Como coach nevertheless praised the personality of his players and their willingness to stick to their principles against an opponent coached by Gasperini. He also highlighted the defensive contribution of Roma centre-back Evan Ndicka, describing him as a key figure in the visitors’ ability to manage the threat from striker Anastasios Douvikas.
Fabregas also questioned the red card, arguing that Roma should not have been the only side to face a dismissal. He believed Wesley’s challenge on Assane Diao had also warranted a sending-off, although he declined to prolong the debate.
Gasperini, meanwhile, questioned whether Malen’s challenge merited a red card when judged at full speed rather than through a freeze-frame.
“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.
Como pushed forward after the dismissal, but Roma held firm. Neither side could find a breakthrough, leaving Fabregas with attacking frustrations and Gasperini with a hard-earned point.