Como and Juventus go head-to-head at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday in a crucial Serie A encounter.
The hosts will be aiming to capitalise on their good home form, while the visitors seek to break a frustrating run of draws that has seen them slip behind in the title race.
Como vs Juventus – Match Preview and Team News
- Date: Sunday, 19th October.
- Kick-off: 12pm BST.
- Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como.
Como Team News
Cesc Fabregas faces several selection headaches ahead of this fixture, with key absences threatening to disrupt his plans. Alberto Dossena remains sidelined following an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in March and is not expected to return until early November. The Lariani will look out for star winger Assane Diao, who fractured his right foot during training in April and underwent surgery. He is now back in training and may return, but he remains a doubt for this week.
Sergi Roberto is a doubt due to a hamstring issue, while Jayden Addai is expected to be unavailable until early November with a muscle injury. Former Juventus striker Alvaro Morata is fit and available to face his old club. Morata joined Como on loan from AC Milan in August and will be eager to prove a point against the Bianconeri. The Spanish international has started settling in at Como after a turbulent year that saw him struggle at Milan before a brief spell at Galatasaray.
Jesus Rodriguez is suspended for this match. Van der Brempt is also a doubt this week. Nico Paz has been the standout performer for Como this season, with three goals and three assists in six Serie A appearances. The Argentine playmaker, who wears the number 10 shirt, has been instrumental in Como’s attacking play and will be crucial to unlocking Juventus’ defence.
Juventus Team News
Igor Tudor’s side heads to Como with significant defensive concerns. Gleison Bremer underwent arthroscopic surgery on October 14 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and is expected to be sidelined until mid to late November.
This represents a major blow for Juventus, as the Brazilian defender had been central to their defensive structure before suffering the setback. The absence of Bremer leaves Tudor short of options at the back, with Daniele Rugani expected to fill the void alongside Pierre Kalulu and Lloyd Kelly in the Croatian manager’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
Juan Cabal is also unavailable due to a thigh injury and is not expected to return until late October. Arkadiusz Milik continues his recovery and remains a doubt for the encounter. Fabio Miretti is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
In attack, Jonathan David set himself a target of 25 goals for his debut Juventus season after joining on a free transfer from Lille. However, the Canadian has managed just one goal in four Serie A appearances so far. Dusan Vlahovic has fared better, with four goals to his name this season, all coming as a substitute, averaging a goal every 19 minutes. Tudor faces a selection dilemma between starting David, Vlahovic, or Lois Openda as the lone striker, with Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao expected to operate behind the frontman.
Form
Como
Fabregas’ men have enjoyed a solid start to their Serie A campaign, sitting eighth in the table with nine points from six matches. The Lariani have suffered just one defeat this season, a 1-0 loss to Bologna in August, but have drawn three of their last four league games.
Before the international break, Como earned a creditable 1-1 draw away to Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium, with Maximo Perrone grabbing the equaliser after Lazar Samardzic had given the hosts an early lead. Como have been particularly strong at home, winning three, drawing two, and losing none of their fixtures at the Sinigaglia this term, including an impressive 2-0 victory over Lazio. They have also avoided conceding in the opening hour of any home league match this season.
Juventus
The Bianconeri remain one of just two unbeaten teams in Serie A alongside Atalanta, extending their undefeated run to 11 matches stretching back to April. However, Tudor’s side has been plagued by draws, with five consecutive stalemates across all competitions causing frustration among supporters.
Their most recent outing saw them held to a goalless draw at home by AC Milan, with Christian Pulisic missing a crucial penalty that could have broken the deadlock. That result continued a worrying trend, with three of their last four matches against Milan ending 0-0.
Juventus started the campaign with three successive victories but has failed to win any of its subsequent three Serie A fixtures. They sit fifth in the table with 12 points, three behind leaders Napoli and Roma.
The Old Lady has been particularly difficult to break down, keeping five consecutive clean sheets against Milan, though their struggles in attack have become evident. Despite their defensive solidity, concerns remain after they conceded seven goals in their thrilling encounters with Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund in September, including a 4-4 draw with the German side. Tudor has dismissed worries about his defence, insisting that context matters when analysing high-scoring games against top European opposition.
Predicted Lineups
Como: Butez; Posch, Carlos, Ramon, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Paz, Kuhn; Morata
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Gatti, Rugani, Kelly; Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David
How to Watch Como vs Juventus?
UK fans can watch the match live on DAZN.
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