Stramaccioni: Dybala Still More Influential Than Nico Paz Ahead of Como vs Roma

FolioPitch.com – 10 October 2026 | As Serie A returns this weekend, all eyes turn to the Stadio Sinigaglia where Como host Roma in a tantalizing Round 6 clash. Former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni has weighed in on the highly anticipated encounter, asserting that Stramaccioni Dybala still more influential than Nico Paz ahead of Como vs Roma. The Italian tactician’s analysis sets the stage for a battle between two Argentine playmakers and two distinct football philosophies.

Roma arrive at the fixture level on points with Inter and Lazio at the top of the table, having squandered a two-goal lead against the defending champions in a 2-2 draw before the international break. Como, meanwhile, sit on 10 points and suffered a loss in their most recent outing. The contrast in styles could not be starker: Cesc Fàbregas’s Como are known for dominating possession and patiently probing for openings, while Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma rely on pressing, speed, and vertical intensity. Stramaccioni believes the key will be which team can impose their own tempo and disrupt the opponent’s established patterns.

“Como under Fàbregas have often been defined by their ability to dominate games, control possession, circulate the ball horizontally and patiently look for openings to exploit with quality in the final 20 meters,” Stramaccioni told Gazzetta. “On Sunday, they will come up against the pressing, speed and vertical intensity of Gasperini’s football. They are two models to be admired. The key will be which team disrupts more of the opponent’s established patterns. Which means preventing them from playing the way they want and imposing their own tempo.”

The former Inter coach also highlighted the importance of width, noting that breaking through the middle will be difficult. “Rather than focusing on wingers, I’d talk about how the teams will attack down the flanks and get to the byline, especially in a match where breaking through the middle won’t be easy,” he continued. “Aside from their wing-backs, Roma only have Soulé who is truly comfortable receiving the ball out wide, whereas Como have several skillful players who like to play wide. The ability to break through down the flanks will be one of the keys to the match.”

Sunday’s clash will also put Argentine stars Paulo Dybala and Nico Paz against each other. Paz was part of the Argentina squad during the three-week international break, while Dybala remained in Trigoria to train with the Giallorossi. Stramaccioni, however, maintains that Stramaccioni Dybala still more influential than Nico Paz ahead of Como vs Roma, citing the former Juventus man’s experience and game-changing ability.

“They are two players who make anyone who loves this game fall in love with football,” Stramaccioni said. “They are obviously at different stages of their careers and also have different characteristics. Paulo has won everything; he is a game-changing player and operates more as a second striker. Nico, meanwhile, is a prodigious talent and more of a No.10 who can also drop deeper or start from a position out wide on the right. At the moment, however, Paulo is slightly more influential for Roma than Nico is for Como.”

Beyond the headline duel, Como boast other dangerous talents in Martin Baturina and Assane Diao, both capable of posing a serious threat to Roma. Stramaccioni outlined how the Giallorossi can neutralize them: “By trying to keep them with their backs to goal. They are two different kinds of talents, but they have one thing in common: they are extremely dangerous when facing goal. I’m certain Roma will focus on aggression and concentration to make it difficult for them to receive the ball cleanly, rather than on containing them in one-on-one situations.”

On the other side, Como’s center-backs will have to deal with the partnership of Donyell Malen and Dybala. “I don’t see it as an individual duel. Against the Malen-Dybala partnership, I expect a collective defensive approach: aggressive marking and space coverage, carried out by the entire defensive unit and the central midfielders,” Stramaccioni noted. “Como will use man-oriented zonal marking against them.”

The tactical battle will be fascinating, but the spotlight remains on Dybala and Paz. While Paz represents the future of Argentine football, Dybala’s current influence at Roma is undeniable. Stramaccioni’s assertion that Stramaccioni Dybala still more influential than Nico Paz ahead of Como vs Roma underscores the immediate impact the former Palermo star has on Gasperini’s side. As the two teams prepare to lock horns, the question of which Argentine will dictate the rhythm of the game could well decide the outcome.

In conclusion, Sunday’s showdown at the Stadio Sinigaglia promises to be a captivating encounter between two ambitious sides with contrasting identities. Stramaccioni’s insights highlight the tactical nuances that will shape the match, from the battle on the flanks to the midfield duels. Yet, as the former coach reiterated, Stramaccioni Dybala still more influential than Nico Paz ahead of Como vs Roma, and that edge in influence might just tip the scales in the Giallorossi’s favor. Football fans around the world will be watching to see whether Dybala can prove his superiority on the pitch or whether Paz rises to the occasion and announces himself as the new heir to Argentina’s playmaking throne.