Como 0-0 Roma: 10-man visitors hold on after Malen red card

Roma missed the chance to reclaim top spot in Serie A as they held on for a hard-fought 0-0 draw away at Como despite playing more than half an hour with 10 men after Donyell Malen’s red card.

Cesc Fabregas’s side dominated the later stages at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia but could not break down a resolute Roma defence marshalled by goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, who was standing in for the injured Mile Svilar. The visitors remain two points behind leaders Inter, while Como sit sixth after a spirited display.

The first half was open and competitive. Paulo Dybala scuffed an early chance straight at Jean Butez after a Malen knockdown, before Nico Paz was denied by Gollini’s brave rush from his line. Lorenzo Pellegrini came closest for Roma, thumping a curling effort from the edge of the area against the base of the post after good work by Manu Koné. Malen later rounded Butez only to fire into the side netting from a tight angle.

The game’s decisive moment arrived early in the second half. Malen drove forward, lost control, and lunged into a reckless challenge on Bruno Kaiki. Referee Michael Fabbri showed an immediate red card, leaving Roma a man short with more than 35 minutes remaining. It was Malen’s first dismissal in the top European leagues.

Como poured forward. Maximo Perrone blazed over, Tasos Douvikas lashed into the side netting, and Gollini produced an outstanding save to keep out Paz’s snap-shot from the edge of the box. Late on, substitute Jesus Rodriguez drilled a low drive inches past the post, while Douvikas headed wide and another Rodriguez effort whistled just off target in stoppage time.

Roma defended stubbornly, with Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka outstanding, and Gian Piero Gasperini’s side claimed a valuable point on the road. It was the first goalless draw of the Serie A season and the first stalemate between these two sides since 1987.