Como vs Sassuolo Match Preview – Serie A 2025/26
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2025
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET)
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy
Competition: Serie A – Matchday 14
Referee: TBC
Match Overview
The picturesque Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on the shores of Lake Como hosts a compelling Serie A encounter as Como 1907 welcome Sassuolo in a fixture that pits two promoted sides with contrasting philosophies and surprising league positions. This match features clubs separated by just one position and one point in the standings—Como in 7th with 18 points, Sassuolo in 8th with 16 points—creating a fascinating tactical battle with European qualification implications.
Como’s return to Serie A after 21 years away has been nothing short of remarkable under Cesc Fàbregas’ management. The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder has implemented a possession-based philosophy emphasizing technical quality, patient build-up play, and defensive solidity that has yielded four clean sheets in their last five matches. Their impressive victories over Juventus and Verona highlight their capacity to compete against established Serie A powers, while their resilience in draws against Napoli and Cagliari demonstrates growing maturity.
Sassuolo’s immediate return to Serie A following relegation—winning Serie B with five matches to spare—showcased their quality exceeds second-tier standards. Under Fabio Grosso’s attacking-minded management, the Neroverdi have exceeded expectations, currently occupying 8th position after their stunning 3-0 victory over Atalanta before the international break. Domenico Berardi’s leadership and experience, combined with Armand Laurienté’s exceptional form (15 goals in Serie B), provide attacking quality that troubles even elite defenses.
Both clubs have already met this season in the Coppa Italia, where Como demolished Sassuolo 3-0 with goals from Jesus Rodriguez (2) and Anastasios Douvikas. That comprehensive victory demonstrated Como’s tactical superiority and attacking quality, though Sassuolo rested key players with European competitions as priorities. The rematch in Serie A carries greater significance, with both sides fielding full-strength lineups and European qualification spots potentially at stake. This fascinating encounter promises tactical intrigue, quality football, and genuine competitive intensity.
Current Form Analysis
Como 1907 Form
Serie A: W-D-D-W-W (Last 5 matches, 7th position with 18 points)
Overall (All Competitions): W-W-W-D-D (Last 5 matches including Coppa Italia)
Home Record: Excellent—unbeaten in recent home fixtures
Defensive Record: Exceptional—4 clean sheets in last 5 matches
Como’s transformation from Serie C2 obscurity to Serie A competitiveness represents one of Italian football’s most remarkable stories. After 21 consecutive years away from the top flight, Cesc Fàbregas has constructed a team playing attractive, possession-based football that defies their newly-promoted status. Their tactical sophistication and defensive organization suggest they’re genuine mid-table contenders rather than relegation fodder.
The statistics tell a remarkable story: four clean sheets in their last five matches across all competitions demonstrates exceptional defensive organization and growing confidence. Their goalless draws with Napoli (the reigning Serie A champions) and Cagliari showcased tactical discipline and capacity to frustrate superior opponents through compact defensive shapes and intelligent positioning.
Most impressively, Como have secured signature victories that establish their credentials. Their 2-1 comeback triumph over Fiorentina—overturning a 1-0 deficit—demonstrated character and attacking quality. Even more notable, their 3-0 Coppa Italia demolition of Sassuolo revealed their potential when operating at peak efficiency, with Jesus Rodriguez’s brace and Douvikas’ goal highlighting attacking variety.
Recent performances showcase Fàbregas’ tactical flexibility. Against Juventus, Como controlled possession and territory, demonstrating they won’t be intimidated by Serie A aristocracy. Against Verona, their clinical finishing and defensive solidity secured three crucial points. These victories aren’t fortunate results—they reflect growing tactical cohesion and genuine quality throughout the squad.
Domestically, Como’s 7th-place position with 18 points from 13 matches represents outstanding achievement for a promoted side. Their four wins and six draws, combined with just three defeats, suggest sustainability rather than temporary momentum. The home record at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia has been particularly impressive, with the intimate atmosphere creating genuine home advantage.
However, concerns remain about attacking consistency. While defensive organization has been exceptional, Como have struggled to score prolifically—their goalless draws against Napoli and Cagliari highlighted difficulties breaking down organized defensive blocks. Fàbregas must find solutions to unlock defenses while maintaining the defensive solidity that underpins their success.
US Sassuolo Form
Serie A: W-D-W-W-D (Last 5 matches, 8th position with 16 points)
Overall (All Competitions): L-W-W-W-D (Last 5 matches including Coppa Italia)
Away Record: Respectable—capable of winning on the road
Attacking Record: Prolific—scored in every Serie A match except one
Sassuolo’s immediate return to Serie A—winning Serie B with five matches to spare and 75 points from 33 games—established them as favorites for immediate relegation battles. However, Fabio Grosso has exceeded all expectations, constructing a team that doesn’t merely survive but genuinely competes for European qualification positions. Their 8th-place standing with 16 points from 11 matches represents remarkable achievement.
The attacking statistics are particularly impressive: the Neroverdi have scored in every Serie A match except one, demonstrating offensive consistency that rivals established mid-table clubs. Their 73 goals in Serie B—the division’s most prolific attack—translated seamlessly to Serie A, where intelligent movement, creative combinations, and clinical finishing create constant goal-scoring threats.
Their defining performance came at the Gewiss Stadium, where they demolished Atalanta 3-0 before the international break. Domenico Berardi, their talismanic captain and Italy international, inspired the victory with two goals and an assist, demonstrating the quality that makes Sassuolo dangerous against any opponent. That result showcased Sassuolo at their devastating best: quick transitions, intelligent pressing, clinical finishing.
Berardi’s comeback from seven months sidelined with an Achilles injury represents the watershed moment in Sassuolo’s season. Since his October return, he’s provided leadership, experience, and match-winning quality that elevates teammates’ performances. His understanding with Armand Laurienté—who scored 15 Serie B goals and has translated that form to Serie A—creates a potent attacking partnership.
However, defensive vulnerabilities persist. While attacking quality has been exceptional, Sassuolo concede regularly—34 goals surrendered in Serie B and several defensive lapses in Serie A suggest systematic issues. Their 3-0 Coppa Italia humiliation by Como exposed these vulnerabilities, with defensive organization collapsing against quality opposition’s sustained pressure.
Recent form suggests inconsistency that could undermine European ambitions. After the Atalanta triumph, they’ve drawn with Pisa, demonstrating difficulty maintaining intensity against supposedly inferior opponents. This pattern—excellence against elite teams, struggles against modest opposition—has characterized their campaign and must be addressed for sustained success.
Head-to-Head Record
Total Competitive Meetings: 1
Como Wins: 1
Draws: 0
Sassuolo Wins: 0
Como Goals: 3
Sassuolo Goals: 0
Previous Meeting:
- Coppa Italia Second Round (September 24, 2025): Como 3-0 Sassuolo
The only previous competitive meeting occurred in September’s Coppa Italia second round, where Como delivered a comprehensive 3-0 victory at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Jesus Rodriguez opened the scoring within two minutes after Edoardo Pieragnolo’s calamitous back-pass gifted possession to the hosts. Anastasios Douvikas doubled the advantage after Martin Baturina’s excellent free-kick delivery, before Rodriguez completed his brace just before halftime to effectively end the contest.
That match demonstrated Como’s tactical superiority and attacking quality when operating at peak efficiency. They dominated possession, controlled territorial areas, and created multiple high-quality chances through patient build-up play and quick combinations. Sassuolo struggled to cope with Como’s pressing intensity and movement, with their defensive organization crumbling under sustained pressure.
However, significant context tempers Como’s dominance. Fabio Grosso rested several key players—notably Domenico Berardi and Andrea Pinamonti—prioritizing Serie A and European ambitions over domestic cup progression. The experimental lineup lacked cohesion and quality, making direct comparisons to this fixture’s expected dynamics problematic.
The psychological advantage clearly favors Como. Having already defeated Sassuolo comprehensively, they enter this rematch with confidence and tactical blueprints that proved effective. Sassuolo must overcome not only Como’s quality but also mental scars from that September humiliation, making their task even more challenging.
Nevertheless, Sassuolo’s subsequent performances—particularly the Atalanta demolition—demonstrate they possess quality absent in that Coppa Italia encounter. With Berardi leading the line and full squad availability, the Neroverdi will be vastly improved from that experimental lineup, creating genuine uncertainty about how this rematch unfolds.
Team News and Injuries
Como 1907
Definitely Out:
- Sergi Roberto (Hamstring strain) – Experienced midfielder unavailable
- Alberto Dossena (Cruciate ligament tear) – Long-term defensive absence
- Edoardo Goldaniga (Heel problems) – Defender sidelined
Key Players Available:
- Jean Butez (Goalkeeper) – First-choice shot-stopper
- Nico Paz (Attacking Midfielder) – Argentine sensation, Como’s creative hub
- Martin Baturina (Midfielder) – Croatian international with quality delivery
- Jesus Rodriguez (Forward) – Scored twice in Coppa Italia meeting
- Anastasios Douvikas (Striker) – Physical presence and goal threat
- Marc-Oliver Kempf (Defender) – German international anchoring defense
Como’s injury concerns are relatively modest, providing Cesc Fàbregas with near-full squad availability for this crucial fixture. Sergi Roberto’s hamstring strain removes an experienced midfielder whose leadership and technical quality would have been valuable, but Como’s depth in central areas provides adequate replacement options.
Nico Paz’s availability is crucial. The 20-year-old Argentine, on loan from Real Madrid, has been Como’s standout performer, combining technical brilliance with creative vision that unlocks defensive organizations. His movement between lines, ability to receive in tight spaces, and progressive passing create constant problems for opponents. Sassuolo must somehow limit his influence without committing too many defensive resources.
The Coppa Italia heroes—Jesus Rodriguez and Anastasios Douvikas—both remain available and eager to replicate their previous performances against Sassuolo. Rodriguez’s pace, movement, and clinical finishing make him perpetually dangerous, while Douvikas’ physical presence provides a target for direct play when building from the back proves difficult.
Defensively, Como remain solid despite Goldaniga and Dossena’s absences. Marc-Oliver Kempf’s experience and organizational quality anchor the backline, while Jean Butez provides reliable goalkeeping that has been instrumental in their recent clean sheet run.
US Sassuolo
Definitely Out:
- Daniel Boloca (Knee problems) – Midfield absence
- Yeferson Paz (Unknown injury) – Defender unavailable
- Cristian Volpato (Hamstring muscle injury) – Creative midfielder sidelined
- Filippo Romagna (Muscular problems) – Defensive option missing
- Laurs Skjellerup (Muscular problems) – Squad depth reduced
- Edoardo Pieragnolo (Cruciate ligament injury) – Long-term absence
Key Players Available:
- Domenico Berardi (Captain, Winger) – Italy international and talisman
- Armand Laurienté (Winger) – Scored 15 Serie B goals, in excellent form
- Andrea Pinamonti (Striker) – Physical presence and goal-scoring threat
- Kristian Thorstvedt (Midfielder) – Norwegian international providing balance
- Stefano Turati (Goalkeeper) – First-choice shot-stopper
Sassuolo’s injury list is more concerning, particularly the absence of Cristian Volpato, whose creativity and technical quality provide attacking variety. Daniel Boloca’s midfield absence places additional responsibility on Kristian Thorstvedt and the midfield unit to provide both defensive screening and progressive passing.
Domenico Berardi’s fitness is paramount. The 31-year-old captain, who scored twice and assisted once in Sassuolo’s 3-0 demolition of Atalanta, provides leadership, experience, and match-winning quality that elevates teammates’ performances. His understanding with Armand Laurienté creates a potent left-sided attacking combination capable of troubling any defense.
Andrea Pinamonti’s physical presence leads the attacking line, offering a target for direct play while also dropping deep to link combinations. His movement and finishing ability make him Sassuolo’s primary goal-scoring threat when Berardi operates from wide positions.
The absence of several defensive options—Romagna, Paz, Skjellerup, and Pieragnolo—forces Fabio Grosso to field a makeshift backline that may struggle against Como’s technical quality and movement. This defensive vulnerability could prove decisive in a fixture where both teams possess attacking quality but defensive solidity often determines outcomes.
Tactical Analysis
Como’s Possession-Based Philosophy
Cesc Fàbregas has implemented a sophisticated tactical system reflecting his Barcelona and Arsenal pedigree. Como typically deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation emphasizing controlled possession, patient build-up play, and exploiting half-spaces through intelligent movement. Their approach prioritizes technical quality over physicality, with short passing combinations and positional rotations designed to disorganize defensive structures.
Against Sassuolo’s expected high defensive line, Como will seek to exploit spaces in behind through Nico Paz’s incisive passing and Jesus Rodriguez’s pace. Their build-up emphasizes short combinations from the back, with center-backs comfortable progressing the ball through midfield lines while fullbacks push high to provide width.
The midfield structure is crucial to Como’s effectiveness. A double pivot provides defensive screening while also progressing attacks through intelligent positioning and progressive passing. Ahead of them, Nico Paz operates as the creative hub, receiving between lines and orchestrating attacking patterns through vision and technical execution.
Defensively, Como have been exceptional recently—four clean sheets in five matches demonstrates organizational excellence and individual discipline. They defend in a compact 4-4-1-1 shape, denying space between lines and forcing opponents wide where crossing opportunities can be defended through aerial dominance and intelligent positioning.
Set-pieces represent a genuine weapon. Como’s delivery quality from dead-ball situations combined with physical presence in the penalty area creates goal-scoring opportunities that have yielded results throughout the season. Against Sassuolo’s makeshift defensive unit, corners and free-kicks might represent their best route to goal.
Expected Como Tactics:
- 4-2-3-1 formation prioritizing possession control
- Patient build-up seeking spaces in behind
- Nico Paz creating from attacking midfield
- Compact defensive shape denying central spaces
- High pressing when identifying specific triggers
- Set-piece emphasis exploiting physical advantages
Sassuolo’s Attacking Intent
Fabio Grosso has constructed an attacking-minded system that prioritizes quick transitions, direct play, and exploiting spaces vacated by opponents’ high defensive lines. Sassuolo typically deploy a 4-3-3 formation with attacking intent as the core principle, though defensive vulnerabilities persist as the price for offensive ambition.
Against Como’s expected possession dominance, Sassuolo will likely adopt a mid-to-high defensive block, pressing aggressively when specific triggers are identified—poor first touches, sideways passes, isolated fullbacks. Their pressing intensity can overwhelm possession-based teams, forcing errors and creating transition opportunities.
Domenico Berardi’s role is crucial. Operating from the right wing, his movement, creativity, and goal-scoring threat create constant problems for left-sided defenders. His combination play with overlapping fullbacks and central midfielders generates overloads in wide areas, while his cutting inside onto his favored left foot provides shooting opportunities from dangerous positions.
Armand Laurienté mirrors Berardi’s threat from the opposite flank. His pace, directness, and goal-scoring instinct make him perpetually dangerous, particularly when receiving in space and running at defenders. The dual winger threat forces opponents into difficult decisions about defensive resource allocation.
Andrea Pinamonti leads the line, providing a physical presence that occupies center-backs while also dropping deep to link combinations. His movement creates space for Berardi and Laurienté to exploit, while his finishing ability makes him dangerous when supplied in the penalty area.
However, defensive vulnerabilities persist. Sassuolo’s high line and aggressive pressing create spaces in behind that pacy opponents exploit through direct running. Como’s technical quality and intelligent movement could expose these gaps, particularly if Sassuolo commit too many resources forward seeking goals.
Expected Sassuolo Tactics:
- 4-3-3 formation with attacking emphasis
- Mid-to-high defensive block with aggressive pressing
- Quick transitions targeting spaces in behind
- Berardi and Laurienté providing width and goal threats
- Pinamonti leading line with physical presence
- Accepting defensive vulnerabilities as price for attacking ambition
Key Tactical Battle
The central confrontation revolves around Como’s possession-based control versus Sassuolo’s attacking directness. Can Como maintain possession and territory while breaking down Sassuolo’s aggressive pressing? Can Sassuolo transition quickly enough to exploit Como’s potential defensive vulnerabilities? The team imposing their preferred game state will likely emerge victorious.
Key Individual Battles
Nico Paz vs Kristian Thorstvedt
The creative midfield duel defines this encounter. Paz’s technical brilliance, vision, and ability to receive between lines face Thorstvedt’s defensive intelligence, work rate, and positional discipline. If Paz finds space and rhythm, Como’s attacking quality overwhelms any opponent. If Thorstvedt can track his movement and close him down quickly when receiving, Sassuolo limit Como’s primary creative outlet.
This battle will likely determine possession dynamics and territorial control. Paz thrives when receiving facing goal in dangerous positions, where his technical ability and vision unlock defensive organizations. Thorstvedt must somehow prevent these scenarios without being drawn too far from his defensive responsibilities, creating tactical dilemmas throughout the match.
Domenico Berardi vs Como’s Left-Back
Sassuolo’s captain faces Como’s left-sided defender in the battle that could determine the match outcome. Berardi’s movement, creativit
