A concerning injury to Como forward Diao marred the opening stages of their Serie A clash against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, forcing an early substitution in the 37th minute. The Senegalese winger, who collapsed to the ground clutching his leg, appeared visibly distressed and left the field in tears, raising immediate fears about his participation in the upcoming Coppa d’Africa tournament.

The incident unfolded after Diao launched a counter-attack following a Roma corner, where the Giallorossi had appealed for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ndicka by Ramon. Diao’s subsequent shot was blocked, and it was in this sequence that he sustained the injury, prompting medical staff onto the pitch. Despite initially attempting to continue, the severity of the issue became apparent, leading to his replacement by Douvikas.

Prior to the unfortunate event, the match saw a period of sustained pressure from Roma, who gradually asserted control of the midfield. The home side created several opportunities, with Soulé featuring prominently. In the 26th minute, a recovered ball by Roma led to Soulé’s shot being blocked, followed by Wesley’s effort sailing high over the bar, demonstrating their intent to dominate possession and territory.

Roma’s offensive efforts continued with a series of corners. In the 24th minute, Cristante’s pressure forced Caqueret into an error, allowing Soulé to cross from the right, which was deflected for a corner. Moments later, Ferguson’s flick-on from a corner found Pellegrini at the far post, whose header narrowly missed the target, highlighting Roma’s aerial threat.

Early in the first half, the game saw an exchange of attacks. Como’s Addai tested the Roma defence, while Wesley attempted to set up Ferguson for Roma, though the pass was overhit. The 11th minute brought a significant chance for Como, with Ferguson’s header requiring a goal-line clearance from Kempf, though the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside, nullifying the threat.

The match kicked off at the Stadio Olimpico with both teams eager to gain an early advantage. Gennaro Gattuso, the coach of Italy, and legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon were among the notable figures in attendance. The game was officiated by Ermanno Feliciani of Teramo, supported by assistants Scatragli and Palermo, with Massimin as the fourth official and Mazzoleni overseeing VAR operations.

Como’s coach Cesc Fabregas expressed his anticipation for the challenging encounter before kick-off, acknowledging Roma as a “great team” led by an “excellent coach.” He emphasised the need for his side to perform exceptionally to secure a victory, also alluding to the team’s limited offensive options in the upcoming period, a concern now amplified by Diao’s injury.

The starting lineups for the match showcased tactical approaches from both managers. Roma deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation under Gasperini, featuring Svilar in goal, a defensive trio of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso, and an attacking front led by Ferguson, supported by Soulé and Pellegrini. Como, under Fabregas, opted for a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Butez guarding the net and Nico Paz leading the line, flanked by Addai, Baturina, and the now-injured Diao, highlighting the depth challenges faced by the visiting side.

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Keywords: Roma Como, Serie A, Diao injury, Coppa d'Africa, Stadio Olimpico, Football match, AS Roma, Como 1907