Como Hosts Roma as Fabregas Questions Italy Over Kean Injury

Como faced a significant test against Roma in Serie A on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with both clubs seeking important points in the early-season standings. Ahead of the match at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como manager Cesc Fabregas criticized the Italian Football Federation's handling of Moise Kean's injury, discussed the need for patience with coaches, and praised Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

According to Football Italia, Kean was ruled out for at least a week to 10 days after an MRI scan revealed the extent of an injury sustained during Italy's international fixtures. The Como forward had played 90 minutes against France despite suffering a significant knock against Belgium earlier in the international window.

Kean subsequently left the national team squad before Italy's 3-1 victory over Turkiye in Bologna. Fabregas said communication between the national federation and clubs needed improvement, raising concerns about the management of injured players during international duty.

Fabregas explained that Kean had suffered a substantial impact during Italy's 2-0 home defeat to Belgium before completing the full match against France in Paris. The coach said the injury assessment confirmed that the striker had played while carrying the problem.

"He took a significant knock against Belgium, in the first game we played. Despite that, he played another 90 minutes [against France] while injured, as an MRI scan carried out yesterday showed. As for the communication between the federation and the club… it could be better." Fabregas said.

Roma also entered the fixture with concerns over squad management, particularly with a Champions League meeting against Real Madrid approaching on Wednesday. According to Chiesa di Totti, Gasperini needed to balance the demands of the domestic campaign with preparations for European competition while protecting key players from excessive workloads.

Donyell Malen's importance to Roma's attack made rotation a central consideration. Santiago Castro offered a potential alternative up front, while Paulo Dybala remained an important attacking partner for Malen. The match against Como provided an opportunity for Castro to demonstrate that he could contribute when the Dutch forward needed rest.

Como's possession-oriented approach under Fabregas presented another challenge for Roma. The hosts had invested heavily in their project and sought to establish themselves among Italy's leading clubs, with sporting director Carlalberto Ludi viewing the contest as an opportunity to demonstrate the team's progress.

Fabregas also called for greater patience with managers, pointing to Mikel Arteta's work at Arsenal as an example of how a long-term project can develop despite early criticism. He argued that clubs should maintain confidence in a coach's tactical ideas rather than make decisions after only a handful of matches.

"I watched Arsenal and Mikel Arteta just renewed his contract with the club. Now you can see the results of his work, but at the start he didn’t do well, he let people criticise and talk. We’ve got to have clear ideas. Normally, but admittedly not always, the results do arrive after a few months," Fabregas said.

The Como manager also questioned the influence of sporting directors in decisions about coaching appointments and tactical direction. He argued that managers needed sufficient authority to implement their footballing philosophies and select players suited to their systems.

"In my view, a coach must put the players on the field with faith. I do see a matter of ego in there, including with directors. How can you fire a coach after just two games?

The director of sport at times feels like he ought to be a coach. As far as I am concerned, I feel that a coach ought to have a lot of strength, not power, over the system he plays, what type of player is required. Seeing from the outside what happens when a coach loses."

Fabregas said.

Fabregas reserved particular praise for Gasperini, whose attacking principles and record of developing players have shaped his coaching reputation. The Como manager highlighted the similarities between their approaches and described Roma as an aggressive team that commits players forward.

"There are many elements that create debate and the media enjoys, but it is an important match against a great team and a great coach. I have great respect for how they play. Roma are a very positive and attacking team who commit men forward.

Gian Piero Gasperini helped so many players to step up in their careers. We both like to be attacking, to use the movement, and their matches are entertaining to watch. Gasperini has been working for 30 years, so you can only admire his approach.

I have enormous respect, he really does believe in what he does." Fabregas said.

Como were also adjusting to the demands of European competition after a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in their opening Champions League fixture. Their next European match was scheduled against Feyenoord on Wednesday, requiring Fabregas to assess how effectively his squad could handle a congested schedule.

"When playing many games, I must do well to understand how the team is reacting, because we’ve never done this before, and I can’t just explain to them how to do it. We’ve got to get used to this as quickly as possible, with as many players as possible, so everyone will get their opportunity. I too wonder whether I am more worried or curious to see how we react.

I want to see how it goes, also for my own experience as a coach, and only time will tell." Fabregas said.

Fabregas also addressed Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who was unavailable for the match. He described Svilar as one of Serie A's best goalkeepers over the previous two seasons, while Roma prepared to manage the absence.

"Kean will be out for at least a week to 10 days, he had a nasty knock against Belgium. I spoke to Roberto Mancini and Kean, I was told there is the possibility of using him with another centre-forward, but right now I don’t see it. Svilar has in my mind been the best goalkeeper in Serie A over the last two seasons.

It changes nothing for me, but I saw with my own eyes Svilar bring many points to Roma." Fabregas said.

Live match updates published by Marca showed Como creating several opportunities, including attempts from Nico Paz and Tasos Douvikas, while Roma threatened through Lorenzo Pellegrini and Dybala. The first half ended 0-0, and Donyell Malen was later shown a red card as the contest continued.