Malen’s red card leaves Roma a man down in Como clash

Roma were reduced to ten men when Dutch striker Donyell Malen was shown a red card in the 53rd minute of the Serie A clash with Como. Referee Fabbri dismissed him after a foul on Como defender Kaiki, marking the first dismissal for the 1999‑born forward in a Roma shirt.

Gasperini challenges the decision

Roma manager José Gasperini, often referred to as the Grugliasco coach, immediately protested the referee’s call. He argued that Malen had only come close to the ball and did not warrant a sending‑off. The protests echoed a similar situation last season when Sinigaglia was also reduced to ten men.

Malen’s dismissal was his first ever red card in Europe’s top ten leagues, 234th appearance across those competitions, underscoring the rarity of the incident for the Dutch forward.

The suspension means Malen will miss Roma’s next league fixture, a home game at the Stadio Olimpico against Genoa. The Giallorossi will therefore have to cope without their Dutch striker for that encounter.

The absence creates a crucial chance for Argentine forward Paulo Castro to make an impact after a disappointing start to the campaign. Castro is still hunting his first goal for the Giallorossi, and the upcoming match offers a platform to do so.