Roma's Gritty 1-0 Win: Wesley's Decisive Strike & A Star's Rise

Let's be honest, some games are beautiful displays of football artistry, and some are just a grind. On a cold night in the Italian capital, Roma's clash with Como was definitely the latter. It was a match filled more with grit than glamour, but at the end of the day, a single moment of quality was enough for the Giallorossi to snatch a vital 1-0 win and climb into the top four.

Key Highlights

• ✓ Roma secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Como at the Stadio Olimpico.
• ✓ Wesley Vinícius scored the decisive goal in the 60th minute, assisted by Matías Soulé.
• ✓ The win lifts Roma to fourth place in the Serie A table, putting them in a Champions League qualification spot.
• ✓ Como's 10-match unbeaten streak is a distant memory as they suffer a second consecutive defeat.
• ✓ 17-year-old Muhammed Bah received his first senior team call-up, a powerful story of resilience after a major injury.

A First Half to Forget

The anticipation was high for this one, with a strong Argentine presence on the pitch, but the first half was, frankly, a bit of a letdown. You could feel the tension at the Stadio Olimpico as both teams struggled to find any real rhythm. For the first 20 minutes, it looked like Cesc Fàbregas's Como was going to run the show. They dominated the ball, boasting around 60% possession at one point.

But here's the thing about possession—it doesn't mean much if you can't do anything with it. Como passed it around nicely but couldn't muster a single shot on Mile Svilar's goal. They completely ran out of steam and ideas in the final third, with Roma's defense effectively shutting down their key playmaker, the young Argentine Nicolás Paz. He was a non-factor, completely neutralized by Roma's game plan.

On the other side, Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma opted for a more direct approach. They pressed high up the pitch, trying to force mistakes, and they were successful in winning the ball back in dangerous areas. They managed to recover the ball four times near Como's box, but their own final product was just as lacking. The final pass was always off, the last decision always the wrong one. The frustration was palpable, peaking in the 41st minute when Evan Ferguson missed a golden opportunity. A perfect pass from Wesley found him in front of goal, but the Irishman shot straight at the keeper, Jean Butez. It was a gift, and it summed up a truly forgettable first 45 minutes.

💡 What's Interesting: Despite having nearly 60% possession in the opening 20 minutes, Cesc Fàbregas's Como side failed to register a single shot on goal, showing how effectively Roma nullified their attack.

The Second-Half Spark

Whatever Gasperini said in the locker room at halftime clearly worked. Roma came out for the second half with a completely different energy. With star man Paulo Dybala warming up on the sidelines, you could sense the home side was ready to go for the win. They almost found the breakthrough early when a header from Matías Soulé cannoned off the post and Bryan Cristante was there to tap in the rebound.

The stadium erupted, but the celebration was cut short. A quick VAR check revealed an offside from Lorenzo Pellegrini in the build-up, and the goal was chalked off. It was a tough break, but it was also a clear signal of intent. The Giallorossi were coming, and they weren't going to be denied for much longer.

The decisive moment finally arrived in the 60th minute. A cross came in from the left, and it was the active Matías Soulé who expertly controlled it with his chest. He then laid it off perfectly for Wesley Vinícius. The Brazilian didn't hesitate, striking it first-time with a powerful right-footed shot across the goal and into the far corner. It was a fantastic finish, a moment of pure quality that broke the deadlock and sent the home fans into a frenzy. To top it off, Wesley celebrated by making Dybala's signature "mask" gesture, a cool tribute to his teammate on the bench.

Climbing the Ladder: The Serie A Shake-Up

That one goal was all it took. With the 1-0 victory sealed, Roma's position in the league looks a whole lot stronger. The three points push them up to 30 points, cementing their spot in fourth place—the final qualification zone for the coveted Champions League. Their next match is a massive one: a trip to face Juventus, who are hot on their heels in fifth with 26 points. That's a classic six-pointer you won't want to miss.

For Como, however, the story is quite different. It's a bitter pill to swallow. Not long ago, they were flying high on an incredible 10-match unbeaten streak. Now, they've crashed back to earth with their second straight loss. This defeat sees them slip to seventh place, dropping them out of the European qualification spots by just a single point. Fàbregas will have his work cut out for him as his team looks to bounce back on the road against Lecce.

Beyond the 90 Minutes: A Story of Resilience

While Wesley's goal was the headline of the night, another story was quietly unfolding on the Roma bench. It’s a story of incredible perseverance. An injury to Neil El Aynaoui forced Gasperini to look to the club's youth academy, the Primavera, for cover. His choice was Muhammed Bah, a 17-year-old Gambian midfielder who earned his very first call-up to the senior squad.

Bah isn't just any youth player. He arrived in Trigoria from Gambia back in 2022 and made an immediate splash. He's a modern, all-action midfielder who was scoring goals and dominating games, often playing in age groups above his own. His talent was so obvious that he was already on the verge of breaking into the first team under the guidance of former manager Daniele De Rossi.

The Long Road Back

Then, disaster struck. Just as his dream was within reach, Bah suffered a devastating injury: a torn cruciate ligament (ACL). It's the kind of setback that can derail a career, and it put him on the sidelines for a grueling eleven months. It was a test not just of his body, but of his mental fortitude. Many young players might have crumbled, but Bah turned his rehabilitation into a personal mission.

His return earlier this year was nothing short of a statement. In his very first match back with the Primavera, now managed by Federico Guidi, he scored a goal. He immediately re-established himself as a leader, both with his play and his presence. It was that relentless drive and consistent performance that caught Gasperini's eye when he needed a replacement. This call-up wasn't just filling a spot; it was a reward for a journey that seemed broken but was rebuilt with pure determination. Sharing roots and dreams with his cousin, fellow Roma player Ebrima Darboe, getting on that team bus to the stadium was a monumental step for the young Gambian.

Conclusion

So, what’s the takeaway from this chilly night in Rome? It was far from a classic, but it was a testament to the fact that sometimes you just have to find a way to win. Roma did just that, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Wesley and Soulé. The victory tightens their grip on a Champions League spot and sets the stage for a massive clash with Juventus.

But beyond the three points, the inclusion of Muhammed Bah on the team sheet adds a beautiful human element to the evening. His journey back from a career-threatening injury to earn a place on the senior team bench is a powerful reminder of the resilience and spirit that fuels the beautiful game. It was a night of gritty victory on the pitch and a quiet triumph of perseverance off it.