Post-Match Statements from Como Women–Roma
Stefano Sottili’s Analysis
“It was a match in which our opponents created some dangerous chances and, in those moments, we weren’t clear-headed enough to understand that we needed to manage the situation differently. At certain points we tried to play, so to speak, ‘on equal terms’, when instead it wasn’t the most suitable strategy. This doesn’t mean we weren’t competitive — far from it — but there are situations where you must know when to slow down, lower the tempo, and avoid getting dragged into their rhythm. In the final part of the first half we should have stayed calmer, controlled the game better, and reached half-time without conceding. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to do that.”
“If I think about the first half, what upset me the most were the two situations on set pieces: in both moments we could and should have done better. One goal was disallowed, the other cost us the opener. Then they had a huge chance with Giugliano, where Gilardi did brilliantly to keep us in the game. Despite all this, we had played a good match. But there are moments, and then there are moments.”
“In the second half we had our chances: the penalty, first of all, to level the score, but also other situations that we could have capitalised on better. The awareness now is that we played on equal terms with one of the best teams in the league — something that hadn’t happened until today. Even last season, we only kept up with them for short periods; today, instead, we matched them all the way to the 100th minute. This must give us confidence in our growth and how much we’ve improved. But, having not taken any points, we must also be aware that there is still work to be done on the details. When you produce this type of performance, you have to be able to bring home a result, otherwise that final step is still missing.”
“After the missed penalty, however, we saw an admirable attitude from the team, especially from the players who came on in the second half: they kept trying until the end. This is important because it shows the emotional involvement and commitment they’ve been putting in during the week. That spirit that pushes you to play at the limit of your possibilities, digging deep into your physical and mental energy. It’s yet another demonstration of the journey they are on. I’m sorry because, with this performance, the reward could have been a positive result. But this must not overshadow all the extremely good work that has been done so far.”
Liucija Vaitukaitytė’s Comment
“We had some good opportunities to score, but you can’t always make the most of them. Sometimes just one chance is enough to change a match, other times you fail to convert even the clearest opportunities. In the second half we lost a bit of clarity, and that weighed on the result. However, we must continue to play our football: if we maintain our style and identity, the chances will come again.”
