Serie A | Como v Roma: Match Preview

As the Serie A season unfolds, Roma will look to build on their recent resurgence when they travel to face Como at Stadio Sinigaglia this Sunday. After securing back-to-back victories, the Giallorossi are eager to continue their upward trajectory against a struggling Como side that finds itself in the relegation zone.

Roma have experienced a rollercoaster start to the 2024-25 campaign, initially languishing in the bottom half of the table. However, under the guidance of club legend Claudio Ranieri, they have begun to find their footing. The team recently celebrated a convincing 3-0 victory over Braga in the Europa League, showcasing their attacking prowess with goals from Saud Abdulhamid, captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Mario Hermoso. This win not only bolstered their confidence but also lifted them to 14th place in Serie A, providing a glimmer of hope for a top-eight finish.

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Before their European success, Roma ended a disheartening streak of four consecutive domestic defeats by overpowering Lecce with a 4-1 triumph. This marked Ranieri’s first win since returning to the club for his third stint as manager. Despite these positive developments, Roma’s away form remains a concern; they have not won any of their last ten away matches in Serie A, which is their worst run since the early 2000s.

On the other hand, Como are in dire straits. After finishing as runners-up in Serie B last season, they have struggled to adapt to life in the top flight. Despite showing some resilience by earning draws in their last two matches, Como have not tasted victory since September and is currently sitting in 17th place. Their most recent outing saw them settle for a 2-2 draw against fellow promoted side Venezia, despite taking the lead through former Roma striker Andrea Belotti.

This match presents an intriguing tactical battle between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Roma will look to capitalize on Como’s defensive frailties, particularly given that Como have yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have conceded an average of 2.2 goals per game at home. Their leaky defense could be an inviting target for Roma’s rejuvenated attack.

Como’s head coach, Cesc Fabregas, faces the challenge of reinvigorating his squad as they seek to avoid slipping further into the relegation zone. Historically, Como have struggled against Roma at home, failing to score in eight of their twelve Serie A encounters at Stadio Sinigaglia. The last time these two teams met in league play was back in 2003 when Como managed a surprising 2-0 victory.

Team News

Roma will likely see some rotation in their lineup after making several changes for the midweek match against Braga. Zeki Celik is expected to return from injury, and Leandro Paredes should be fit again after recovering from illness. Artem Dovbyk may also make his return to the starting XI, potentially pushing Paulo Dybala into a deeper role or relegating Lorenzo Pellegrini to the bench.

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Como will be without midfielder Maximo Perrone and veteran left-back Alberto Moreno due to injuries but could welcome back Sergi Roberto from a long absence. Andrea Belotti remains a key figure for Como; he has scored six league goals against Roma during his career and will be looking to add to that tally.

Expected Starting XIs

Como: Reina; Van der Brempt, Goldaniga, Kempf, Iovine; Engelhardt, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Belotti

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Celik, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Saelemaekers; Dovbyk

Match Prediction

Given Roma’s recent form and Como’s struggles this season, expectations lean towards an away victory for the Giallorossi. With their attacking players finding form and Como’s defense showing vulnerabilities, it is likely that Roma will secure a crucial three points in this encounter.

Prediction: Roma 2-0 Como

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