Wesley Red Card Seen As A Glaring Error In Roma's Defeat To Como, Says Gasperini

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Roma slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Como in Serie A, and Gian Piero Gasperini placed the focus on Wesley’s red card, calling the dismissal a decisive mistake after Roma had led early and then lost control of a key top-four clash.

The match at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia featured major swings. Donyell Malen’s early penalty put Roma ahead, only for Tasos Douvikas and a late Diego Carlos goal to turn the contest, while Wesley’s second yellow card left Roma with ten players during the crucial final phase.

The sending off arrived in the 65th minute, moments after Douvikas had drawn Como level. Wesley, already booked, went into a challenge on Assane Diao in midfield and was penalised for what officials viewed as a mistimed tackle, leaving Gasperini furious with the decision and its timing in such a tight encounter.

The reversal continued a rare trend for Roma. The defeat was the first time Roma had lost a Serie A match after leading since 10th February 2024, when Inter overturned an advantage. Gasperini argued that specific incidents, rather than overall play, had swung the match and damaged Roma’s push for a top-four place.

I have already seen the Wesley incident. It is pointless to comment on this trend in football, especially regarding dives,Gapserini told DAZN as quoted by Football Italia. It was, unfortunately, a decisive episode, just like the one for their equaliser. We defended the cutbacks well, but at that moment, we were not good enough. Some of it is down to us, and it is not a great moment, but these are glaring episodes that are hard to ignore.

Malen had earlier given Roma control with a seventh-minute spot-kick, keeping calm from twelve yards. That penalty took Malen to seven Serie A goals this season. In Roma’s history, only three players have scored more goals in the second half of a league season for the Giallorossi within a single campaign.

Beyond the goal, Malen was active in the final third. The forward finished with team-high numbers for shots, recording two efforts, and also led Roma for touches inside the Como penalty area with three. Those figures underlined Malen’s central role before Gasperini substituted the Dutch player for Robinio Vaz with 23 minutes remaining.

We do rely on him, understandably, given how many goals we score,Gasperini conceded. He creates clear, clean chances every match, that means the team is working well and building correctly.

Serie A Roma Como result and focus on Europa League

Como’s fightback began close to the hour when substitute Douvikas struck to cancel Roma’s advantage. Diego Carlos then completed the turnaround in the 79th minute, finishing clinically to punish Roma’s reduced numbers and secure three points for the hosts in the meeting of top-four contenders.

Despite his frustration, Gasperini pointed to Roma’s own shortcomings in defending key moves. The coach felt Roma generally handled Como’s cutbacks but admitted concentration slipped before the equaliser. That lapse, followed quickly by Wesley’s dismissal, left Roma under pressure in the closing stages against a confident Como side.

The fixture arrived in a busy schedule, with little recovery time for Roma’s squad. Gasperini now has to reshuffle the defence after Wesley’s red card, while also managing the absence of other suspended players. The coach underlined that these sanctions disrupt rhythm and make it harder to build consistent league form.

But there was no time to rest for Gasperini, who will aim to pick up his players ahead of their Europa League last 16 second leg with Bologna on Thursday. The two sides head into the clash level at 1-1 followingthe first leg, and Gasperini has urged his players to put their league disappointment quickly behind them.

The players are young, and some have experience; they must recover their energy quickly, Gasperini added. The suspensions disrupt our continuity, but Thursday is an important match, and we must be ready.

Roma now move from domestic frustration against Como to a decisive European meeting with Bologna, carrying a 1-1 aggregate score into the second leg. Gasperini expects a fast reaction from a young squad that must respond despite suspensions, maintain focus, and protect hopes of progress in both Serie A and the Europa League.