SSC Napoli will be keen to keep their good start to the season going when they take on Como on Friday night.
Under the guidance of Antonio Conte, Napoli have reasserted themselves as one of Serie A’s dominant forces, reclaiming the top spot for the first time since their Scudetto triumph in 2023. After six matches, they’ve accumulated 13 points, placing them just one ahead of Juventus.
Fresh off the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Palermo in the Coppa Italia, Napoli returned to league action last weekend with a confident 2-0 victory over Monza, courtesy of two quick-fire goals inside the first half. Matteo Politano, one of Serie A’s most consistent performers, opened the scoring, becoming one of the few active players to net in 10 consecutive league seasons. Soon after, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled their lead, securing the win.
Conte’s side have displayed defensive resilience, managing to keep four consecutive clean sheets, and have only conceded once at home this season. With three wins from three at their home ground, coupled with a strong defensive record, Napoli will feel optimistic heading into this fixture.
History certainly seems to be on Napoli’s side. Of their previous 22 meetings with Como, the Partenopei have triumphed in 17, and they have won all 11 of their top-flight clashes with Como at home.
Although Como’s recent history in Serie A is less illustrious, they have started to regain their footing in Italy’s top tier. While they won both fixtures against Napoli the last time they met in Serie B two decades ago, Como have yet to take any points from their trips to Naples at the Serie A level.
However, after a lengthy absence from the top flight, Como finally secured their first Serie A win in 21 years last week, edging past Hellas Verona 3-2. Striker Patrick Cutrone stole the show with two goals, while veteran forward Andrea Belotti broke his personal scoring drought, helping lift Como to 10th place in the table with eight points.
Under head coach Cesc Fabregas, Como have begun to click, with back-to-back three-goal performances – a feat they have not accomplished since the early 1950s. While they face a daunting challenge in Napoli’s rock-solid defence, Fabregas will hope that his side’s newfound attacking confidence will serve them well on Friday night. The Hard Tackle explores the possible lineups and strategies for this much-awaited match.
Team News & Tactics
SSC Napoli
For Napoli’s upcoming fixture, manager Antonio Conte will likely stick to a 4-3-3 formation, as it has been effective since switching from his preferred 3-4-2-1. Elia Caprile will continue as the starting goalkeeper in place of the injured Alex Meret.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mathias Olivera are expected to take their spots as the full-backs, while Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno will partner in central defence. As for the midfield unit, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Scott McTominay are likely to form a dynamic trio, with McTominay’s inclusion as a key reason for the tactical shift.
The forward line will see Matteo Politano on the right wing, Romelu Lukaku leading the attack as the central striker, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left, aiming to add to his impressive goal contributions this season.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Caprile; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia
Como 1907
For Como’s anticipated lineup, they are expected to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal, Emil Audero will take charge, with Marc Oliver Kempf and Alberto Dossena operating as the full-backs. Ignace Van Der Brempt and Fabio Moreno are likely to start as the full-backs, providing defensive stability on the flanks.
As for the midfield unit, Maximo Perrone and former Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto will anchor the team in a double pivot, ensuring control in the middle of the park.
Ahead of them, Gabriel Strefezza will likely be deployed on the right wing, with the highly-rated playmaker Nico Paz being the central attacking midfielder. Alieu Fadera is expected to play on the left wing, supporting the in-form Patrick Cutrone, who leads the attack upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Audero; Van Der Brempt, Kempf, Dossena, Moreno; Perrone, Roberto; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
Key Stats
- Napoli are the opponent against which Como have achieved the fewest victories in Serie A, with only one win, four draws, and 17 defeats against the Partenopei.
- Napoli have won 77% of their matches against Como in Serie A (17 out of 22), their highest such percentage against teams they have faced more than six times in the competition.
- Napoli have won each of their 11 home Serie A matches against Como. They are among the teams with a 100% home record against a single opponent, similar to Inter Milan against Aurora Pro Patria (12/12) and Juventus against Foggia (11/11).
- Napoli have kept a clean sheet in three consecutive Serie A matches for the first time since February 2023. They have recorded four clean sheets in six matches this season.
- Antonio Conte has won his first three home Serie A matches in charge of Napoli. Only five coaches in Serie A history have won each of their first four home games in the top flight.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is undoubtedly the player to watch for this fixture. The powerful Belgian striker has been in excellent form since reuniting with Antonio Conte at Napoli, seamlessly fitting into the team’s attacking setup. Lukaku’s combination of strength, pace, and clinical finishing makes him a constant threat to opposing defences.
In this game against Como, his physical presence will be key, especially against a team that might look to sit deep and defend in numbers. Lukaku has the ability to hold up play, bring teammates into the game, and finish off chances with precision.
His partnership with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been blossoming, with the Georgian winger providing plenty of service from wide areas, and this match could present Lukaku with more opportunities to add to his goal tally. With Napoli aiming to consolidate their position at the top of the Serie A table, Lukaku’s performance will be crucial in breaking down Como’s defence.
Prediction
SSC Napoli 2-0 Como 1907
Napoli’s dominance at home, paired with their outstanding defensive record, makes them the clear favourites heading into this encounter. Although Como’s recent performances suggest they’re on an upward trajectory, breaking down Napoli’s defence at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will be a tall order. Expect Napoli to secure another comfortable win while maintaining their clean sheet record.
