Como vs Parma – News and Probable Lineups

Como, who are in contention for a Champions League spot, host Parma, currently sitting in 13th place, at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia for their second-to-last Serie A match of an impressive season.

This Sunday’s match is set to kick off at noon in Italy, coinciding with several other key fixtures, including the Rome derby between Roma and Lazio, Genoa’s match against AC Milan, Juventus facing Fiorentina, and Napoli traveling to Pisa, all part of the race for next season’s Champions League.

Match overview

If Como miss out on Champions League qualification next season, Cesc Fabregas might look back on their three-match dip in form in April as a pivotal moment.

The Lariani were seated in fourth place prior to matchday 31 after a scoreless draw with Udinese, just ahead of Juventus and four points clear of Roma. However, a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan and a 2-1 loss to Sassuolo interrupted their ambitious pursuit.

Following that sequence of matches without a win — a streak that extends to four when including their Coppa Italia semifinal loss to Inter — Fabregas’s squad has re-focused, reverting to a more defensive approach over creative play.

This shift has resulted in three clean sheets, featuring victories against Genoa (2-0) and Hellas Verona (1-0), alongside a goalless clash with Napoli, the former Serie A champions, as they head into a decisive phase of the season.

While Como have already secured their place in next season’s Europa League with 65 points, there remains a possibility to finish in second, third, or fourth, with Napoli, Juventus, and Milan currently at 70, 68, and 67 points respectively.

Carlos Cuesta’s squad managed to come back from a 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 lead into stoppage time, only to witness Roma’s Devyne Rensch and Donyell Malen score in the 94th and 101st minutes, respectively, sealing a late win for the Giallorossi.

This loss was the eighth league defeat for the Emilians at Tardini, where they have secured just four victories out of 18 matches, alongside six draws, accumulating a total of 18 points.

Conversely, Cuesta’s team has gained 24 points on the road and aims to disrupt Como’s aspirations for Champions League qualification.

However, the Emilians might face problems concerning motivation, with little incentive left as the season winds down.

With Parma sitting 13th on 42 points, they can no longer achieve a seventh-place finish — Atalanta hold 58 points — and are comfortably 11 points above 18th-placed Cremonese. It will be interesting to see if this lack of pressure benefits Como on Sunday.

Team News

Fabregas may have to adjust his lineup at left-back as Alex Valle was substituted before halftime at the Bentegodi last weekend, with veteran Alberto Moreno likely stepping in.

If absent, Valle would join Jayden Addai (Achilles) on the injury list, with Addai last playing in February.

Though Anastasios Douvikas has scored crucial goals in recent matches against Genoa and Verona, Nico Paz has struggled to make an impact in three consecutive games after a strong run in which he scored in three out of four matches.

Mateo Pellegrino, with eight goals to his name, is unlikely to reclaim the top spot in Parma’s scoring leaderboard, as he hasn’t found the target since March, failing to add to his tally in six games.

The Emilians are dealing with several absences due to injury or suspension: Sascha Britschgi will be unavailable for one match after receiving a red card with two yellows last week, while Adrian Bernabe, Benjamin Cremaschi, Gaetano Oristanio, and Matija Frigan are sidelined with injuries.

Gabriel Strefezza, who has registered two goals and one assist in his past five league games, is uncertain for this weekend after sustaining an injury that led to his 53rd-minute substitution against Roma.

Como probable starting XI:

Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Moreno; Perrone, Da Cunha; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Parma probable starting XI:

Zion; Circati, Troilo, Valenti; Delprato, Ordonez, Keita, Caviglia, Valeri; Elphege, Pellegrino

Como is expected to have enough control and drive to secure a victory in this match, particularly with Champions League qualification still being a possibility and Parma having little left to strive for.

While Fabregas’s squad may not completely overpower their guests, their recent emphasis on solid defense might be a key factor in achieving a routine home win.