As the Serie A season enters its critical phase, Como and Juventus are set to face off in a match that holds significant implications for both sides. The fixture, scheduled for Friday evening at Stadio Sinigaglia, pits a team fighting for survival against one aiming to secure a Champions League spot.
Juventus, currently sitting just outside the top four, arrive in Como with renewed confidence following their emphatic 4-1 victory over Empoli last weekend. The win, which featured a brace from new signing Randal Kolo Muani, ended a brief spell of poor form for the Bianconeri. Manager Thiago Motta will be eager to see his team build on this performance and secure consecutive league wins for the first time since November.
The Old Lady’s campaign has been characterized by an unusual number of draws, with only nine victories from 23 matches. This inconsistency has left their Champions League qualification hopes in a precarious position. A win against Como would not only boost their chances but also propel them back into fourth place, leapfrogging Lazio in the process.
Juventus’ historical dominance over Como adds another layer of confidence to their approach. The Turin giants are unbeaten in their last 22 Serie A encounters against the Lariani, with Como’s last victory dating back to January 1952. This impressive record, combined with their recent return to winning ways, makes Juventus the favourites heading into the match.
On the other side of the pitch, Como find themselves in a battle to maintain their Serie A status. Under the guidance of former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, the newly-promoted side has shown flashes of promise but remains perilously close to the relegation zone.
Como’s recent form has been concerning, with back-to-back defeats in their last two outings. However, their home record since promotion offers a glimmer of hope, having suffered only four defeats at Stadio Sinigaglia this season. The Lariani will be banking on this home comfort to potentially upset Juventus and secure vital points in their bid for survival.
The January transfer window saw Como make several ambitious moves to bolster their squad. New arrivals such as Anastasios Douvikas, Maxence Caqueret, and Jonathan Ikone are expected to play crucial roles in the team’s fight against relegation. However, the integration of these new players is still a work in progress, and Fabregas faces the challenge of quickly molding them into a cohesive unit.
For Juventus, all eyes will be on Randal Kolo Muani, who has made an immediate impact since joining the club. The French striker has scored three goals in his first two Serie A appearances and could become the first Juventus player this century to score in his opening three league games.
Como’s main threat is likely to come from Nico Paz, the Real Madrid loanee who has been in scintillating form at home. Paz has found the net in each of his last four home games and leads the Serie A in completed dribbles this season.
Team News
Juventus continue to grapple with injuries, with Pierre Kalulu, Bremer, Juan Cabal, and Arkadiusz Milik all sidelined. Recent signing Renato Veiga could retain his place in defense after making his debut last weekend. The return of Lloyd Kelly from injury provides Motta with additional defensive options.
Como will be without the suspended Alieu Fadera, while injuries rule out Alberto Moreno, Sergi Roberto, Alessandro Gabrielloni, and Ignace Van der Brempt. New signing Mergim Vojvoda is also unavailable for selection.
Expected Starting XIs
Como: Butez; Engelhardt, Goldaniga, Dossena, Valle; Perrone, Caqueret; Strefezza, Paz, Diao; Cutrone
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Veiga, McKennie; Locatelli, Thuram; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Kolo Muani
Match Prediction
While Como have shown they can be formidable at home, Juventus’ quality and the need for points to secure a top-four finish should see them through. The Old Lady’s defensive solidity, combined with their newfound attacking potency, is likely to prove too much for Como’s still-gelling squad.
Prediction: Como 1-2 Juventus
