Dovbyk delivers as Roma come back to beat Como and extend unbeaten streak
Roma vs Como
AS Roma delivered a stirring comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over an in-form Como side at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A, a result that not only extended their impressive unbeaten league run to 11 games but also preserved their remarkable 12-match unbeaten streak against their opponents on home soil, reinforcing their status as a formidable force in front of their passionate supporters. The clash pitted two teams in fine fettle against each other, with Roma riding a wave of consistency and Como buoyed by a resurgence that had seen them climb clear of the relegation mire, setting the stage for a tightly contested encounter that kept the crowd on edge from start to finish. The early exchanges reflected this balance, as both sides probed cautiously, neutralizing each other’s attacking intent with disciplined defending and midfield tenacity, though it was Como’s Ivan Smolcic who carved out the game’s first genuine opportunity, cleverly dummying his marker to create space on the edge of the box, only to drag his shot wide of Mile Svilar’s goal in a moment that hinted at the visitors’ growing confidence. Roma, however, responded with menace of their own, as Paulo Dybala tested Como goalkeeper Jean Butez with a close-range effort that demanded a stunning reaction save, a flash of brilliance that kept the scores level but signaled Roma’s intent to assert their dominance as the half wore on, setting up a narrative of fine margins that would define the match.
The deadlock was broken just before the interval, and it was Como who struck first, sending a jolt of disbelief through the Stadio Olimpico as Maximo Perrone’s pinpoint delivery found Lucas Da Cunha unmarked, allowing the winger to tap into an empty net and claim a lead that few had anticipated given the visitors’ paltry record of just three away goals before halftime across the season—the lowest in the division. The goal stunned the home crowd, who had grown accustomed to Roma’s resilience at the Olimpico, and it exposed a rare lapse in concentration from a defense that had been a cornerstone of their unbeaten run, with Da Cunha’s clinical finish serving as a reminder of Como’s newfound potency under pressure. The Lariani carried that momentum into the second half, nearly doubling their advantage just before the hour mark when Patrick Cutrone found himself free in the box, only to be thwarted by Svilar’s smart save after failing to pick out a corner—a miss that would prove pivotal as Roma seized the lifeline they had been handed. The turning point arrived minutes later, as Alexis Saelemaekers ignited the comeback, latching onto a loose ball in the area and unleashing an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net, his sixth goal contribution of 2025 placing him atop Roma’s charts for the year and breathing new life into a contest that had threatened to slip away from the Giallorossi, sparking wild celebrations among the fans who sensed a shift in momentum.
Como’s fortunes unraveled further in the immediate aftermath, as the game descended into chaos with Marc-Oliver Kempf receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, reducing the visitors to 10 men and tilting the balance decisively in Roma’s favor within a frenetic few minutes that encapsulated the match’s breathless intensity. The drama escalated as Como, defiant despite their numerical disadvantage, thought they had reclaimed the lead when Assane Diao—on the cusp of becoming only the third player in Serie A history to score in four consecutive matches before turning 20—bundled the ball home, only for the celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag, a decision that preserved Roma’s parity and handed them the impetus to press for victory. That moment arrived soon after, as Devyne Rensch showcased his vision with a perfectly weighted pass to Artem Dovbyk, who made no mistake in the area, slotting the ball into the bottom corner with the composure of a seasoned predator to complete the turnaround and send the Stadio Olimpico into raptures. The Ukrainian’s strike, his latest in a prolific campaign, underscored his importance to Roma’s attack and cemented their reputation for resilience, turning a potential defeat into a hard-fought triumph that kept their unbeaten streaks alive and their European ambitions within reach, while Como were left to rue their inability to hold firm against the mounting pressure exerted by a revitalized home side.
Even with 10 men, Como refused to capitulate, their spirit unbroken as they pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, coming agonizingly close when Mergim Vojvoda unleashed a venomous shot from distance that cannoned off the post, a near-miss that silenced the Olimpico momentarily and served as a testament to their determination to salvage something from a game they had once led. Roma, however, held firm, their defense marshaled superbly by Svilar and the backline weathering the late storm to secure a precious three points that lifted them to eighth in the Serie A table, now just four points shy of the European qualification places—a position that reflects their steady climb under pressure and their knack for grinding out results when it matters most. For Como, the defeat was a bitter blow, halting their bid to win three consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since 1952 and denying them a historic scalp that had briefly seemed within their grasp, though their six-point cushion above the relegation zone and fifth-place buffer in the standings offer some consolation amid a season of progress. The match encapsulated the unpredictability of Serie A, with Roma’s ability to rally from behind highlighting their depth and character, while Como’s spirited display, despite the loss, underscored their emergence as a side capable of challenging the established order, even if their lack of ruthlessness ultimately cost them on this occasion.
This victory was more than just a routine win for Roma; it was a statement of intent, a reaffirmation of their credentials as a team capable of competing at the upper echelons of Italian football, with their unbeaten runs—11 in the league and 12 at home against Como—serving as a foundation for greater aspirations as the season progresses. Saelemaekers’ thunderous equalizer and Dovbyk’s decisive finish were the headline moments, but the contributions of Dybala, Rensch, and Svilar underscored the collective strength of a squad that has found its rhythm under Claudio Ranieri’s guidance, blending flair with grit to overcome a spirited Como outfit that had threatened to derail their momentum. The Olimpico faithful, who roared their team on through every twist and turn, played their part in lifting Roma over the line, their unwavering support a constant amidst the chaos of a match that swung on fine margins—Smolcic’s miss, Cutrone’s wastefulness, and Kempf’s red card all proving decisive in a contest that could have gone either way. As Roma look ahead to tougher tests, this win keeps them in the hunt for Europe, their four-point gap to the top six a challenge but not an insurmountable one, while Como, despite the setback, can take heart from their performance, their proximity to the drop zone eased by earlier gains, though they will lament the missed opportunity to etch their name into the history books at the expense of a resurgent Roman giant.
