Napoli will be keen to end their recent struggles and rediscover their winning form against Como on Sunday.
Napoli’s Scudetto ambitions have hit a rough patch, and they will be desperate to turn the tide when they visit an improving Como side at Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday. With Inter Milan breathing down their necks in the Serie A title race, the Partenopei cannot afford another slip-up. However, their hosts, buoyed by recent success, will be eager to prove they belong among Italy’s elite.
February has not been kind to Napoli. After a frustrating draw against Roma, they suffered another late setback against Lazio last weekend. Despite twice leading at Stadio Olimpico — thanks to Giacomo Raspadori’s stunning strike and an unfortunate own goal from Adam Marusic — Antonio Conte’s men were undone by an 87th-minute equaliser. That result left their lead at the Serie A summit hanging by a thread.
To make matters worse, their winless streak now stands at three matches following a 1-1 draw with Udinese, adding further pressure ahead of a crucial showdown with Inter Milan next week. However, Napoli can take solace in their away form, having scored in 10 consecutive road games — a streak they hope to extend in Como.
Como’s journey this season has been one of resilience. After spending two decades in the lower divisions, the club returned to Serie A last summer with lofty ambitions. It took time to adjust to the top flight, but recent performances suggest they are beginning to find their feet.
Under the guidance of rookie coach Cesc Fabregas, the Lariani have climbed towards mid-table, with their confidence soaring following last week’s impressive 2-0 victory over Fiorentina. New arrival Assane Diao opened the scoring at Stadio Franchi, while Nico Paz — Como’s standout performer — sealed a rare but well-earned away win.
Como’s struggles against top-six sides have been evident — they had taken just one point from their first eight matches against such opposition, conceding 18 goals and scoring only five. However, their triumph in Florence suggests a newfound belief, just in time for a showdown with Napoli.
For Fabregas, this match carries an extra layer of intrigue. The Spaniard played under Conte at Chelsea between 2016 and 2018, and now he faces his former mentor as a rival in the Serie A dugout. Como may have lost the reverse fixture 3-1 in October — conceding within the first minute — but they have reason to believe they can pose a greater challenge this time.
History, however, leans heavily in Napoli’s favour. The Partenopei have dominated this fixture, going unbeaten in their last 23 Serie A meetings with Como, a streak dating back to November 1952. Moreover, Como’s recent record against Napoli is dire, with four straight defeats and an average of 2.5 goals conceded per game. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Como 1907
Cesc Fabregas will have to navigate this crucial clash without several key players due to injuries. Midfield veteran Sergi Roberto remains sidelined, adding to Como’s concerns in the centre of the park. Alessandro Gabrielloni, a reliable attacking option, is also unavailable, while full-back Ignace Van der Brempt and defender Mergim Vojvoda are both ruled out with fitness issues. However, there is some positive news for the Lariani, as experienced left-back Alberto Moreno could make his return after recovering from a muscular problem.
Como’s primary attacking threat comes from Nico Paz, who has been in fine form since arriving on loan from Real Madrid. The playmaker has already notched six goals and three assists in Serie A this season, operating just behind the lone striker. His ability to find pockets of space and link up with Como’s attacking line will be crucial in breaking down Napoli’s defensive setup.
Fabregas is expected to set up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jean Butez between the posts, offering stability as the last line of defence. In the back four, Ivan Smolcic will start at right-back, while the central defensive pairing will consist of Marc Oliver Kempf and Alberto Dossena. Alex Valle is likely to take up the left-back role, balancing defensive duties with overlapping runs down the flank.
In midfield, Maximo Perrone and Lucas Da Cunha will form the double pivot, tasked with shielding the defence while also dictating the tempo of play. Ahead of them, the attacking trio will include Gabriel Strefezza on the right wing, Nico Paz as the central attacking midfielder, and Assane Diao providing width and cutting inside from the left.
Leading the line will be Patrick Cutrone, whose work rate and ability to hold up play will be key to Como’s chances of unsettling Napoli’s backline. His movement in and around the penalty area, coupled with the creativity behind him, could pose a genuine threat to the visitors.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Kempf, Dossena, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao; Cutrone
SSC Napoli
Napoli will be boosted by the return of Alessandro Buongiorno, who has recovered from his injury and is available for selection. His return is timely, given Napoli’s ongoing issues at full-back, which prompted Antonio Conte to switch to his preferred 3-5-2 formation against Lazio. The Partenopei are expected to maintain that tactical setup for this encounter.
However, Napoli remain without Mathias Olivera, who is still sidelined due to injury. In addition, Brazilian winger David Neres, who had impressively filled the void left by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s departure, is also unavailable. There is some positive news, though, as Leonardo Spinazzola has returned to full training and could feature in some capacity.
Conte is set to deploy a 3-5-2 formation, with Alex Meret retaining his spot as the first-choice goalkeeper. The defensive trio will consist of Amir Rrahmani on the right, Alessandro Buongiorno in the centre, and Juan Jesus as the left-sided centre-back. This back three is expected to provide defensive stability while also offering Napoli the flexibility to push forward when needed.
In midfield, Giovanni Di Lorenzo will take up the right wing-back role, contributing both defensively and in attack, while Matteo Politano will operate on the left flank, offering width and crossing ability. The central midfield trio will feature Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Scott McTominay, who has been a key presence in Napoli’s engine room. McTominay, who scored within 26 seconds in the reverse fixture, has been Napoli’s most prolific midfielder on the road, netting four away goals in Serie A this season.
Leading the attack will be the pairing of Giacomo Raspadori and Romelu Lukaku. Raspadori has benefitted the most from Conte’s tactical adjustments, while Lukaku remains a formidable presence up front, capable of bullying defenders and finishing with clinical precision. Their partnership will be crucial in breaking down Como’s defensive resistance.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Meret; Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Jesus; Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay, Politano; Raspadori, Lukaku
Key Stats
-
Como have won only one of their 23 Serie A meetings against Napoli, with their last and only victory coming in November 1952. They have kept just one clean sheet in this fixture since then (0-0 in 1987).
-
he Lariani have lost their last four top-flight games against Napoli, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per match. The only team against whom Como have suffered a longer losing streak in Serie A is Inter Milan (eight consecutive defeats).
-
After picking up just one point from their first eight games against teams in the top six, Como stunned Fiorentina with a 2-0 victory in their most recent match, suggesting they are improving against stronger opponents.
-
The Partenopei have drawn each of their last three Serie A games (against Roma, Udinese, and Lazio). If they draw again in this match, it would be the first time since 2013 that they have recorded four consecutive league draws.
-
The defending champions are winless in three matches (D3). The last time a Serie A league leader endured a longer winless streak at the start of a matchday without securing a victory was Juventus in 2018/19, when they failed to win in five consecutive games (D3 L2).
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
With Napoli desperate to regain momentum in the Serie A title race, Romelu Lukaku will be their key figure in attack. The Belgian striker has been a dominant presence this season, using his physicality, intelligent movement, and finishing ability to trouble opposition defences. Against a Como side that has struggled against top teams, Lukaku’s presence in the final third could be the difference-maker.
Lukaku’s aerial prowess and hold-up play will be vital in breaking down Como’s defensive structure, especially with Napoli expected to see a lot of the ball. His ability to bring teammates into play, particularly Giacomo Raspadori, will make Napoli’s attack fluid and unpredictable. Additionally, his experience and composure in front of goal will be crucial in a match where the visitors cannot afford to drop points.
If Napoli are to end their winless run and keep their Scudetto hopes alive, expect Romelu Lukaku to play a decisive role. Whether through his goalscoring instinct or his ability to stretch defences, all eyes will be on the Belgian to lead the Partenopei’s charge.
Prediction
Como 1907 1-2 SSC Napoli
The Lariani will make this a contest, but Napoli’s superior firepower should be enough to grind out a much-needed win. The Partenopei may be struggling for form, but they remain a cut above Como in terms of quality.
Expect Antonio Conte’s men to come out with urgency, knowing that anything less than three points could be detrimental to their title charge. Como, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum and frustrate their visitors. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Conte and his charges.
