Gasperini and Cesc, Getty images December 20, 2025, 09:28

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini criticized Como’s style of play. His words are quoted by TuttoMercatoWeb.

“What I don’t like is the situation with the goalkeepers. Now there is an eight-second rule that is rarely used. There are still situations when the ball just lies there and thirty seconds pass before the goalkeeper puts it into play.

I also don’t like how often teams play through the goalie. Let’s say, in the match with Inter, goalkeeper Como touched the ball with his feet 51 times. People don’t like that. Football is about playing forward. I can understand goalkeepers being passed to keep possession, but it’s turning into something the fans don’t like. They want to see tackles, dribbling, forward play, otherwise it can all turn into ugly football. Something in the style of five-on-five matches – it’s great to play, but impossible to watch.

You need to find something that will make the ball go forward and not back. It’s not easy, but I don’t like it when the goalkeeper controls the ball with his feet for 10, 20, 30 seconds, and everyone just stands. This is not interesting football. I want skillful players to always have the ball, and there are enough of them in Como,” said Gasperini.

After 15 rounds played in Serie A, Como is in 7th place in the standings, six points behind fourth-placed Roma.