Como vs Roma – News and Probable Lineups

Como and Roma, both competing for a spot in Serie A’s top four, are set to meet at Stadio Sinigaglia this Sunday.

After a sluggish start to March, the Giallorossi have now caught up with their ambitious opponents, who are aiming for a historic place in the Champions League.

Match overview

Just a week after squandering a crucial lead against top-four rival Juventus, a struggling Roma encountered a 2-1 defeat against Genoa last weekend.

Roma legend Daniele De Rossi was pivotal in his former club’s defeat, as his current team dealt another blow to Roma’s ambitions of Champions League qualification.

Not much time was afforded to Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad to dwell on that loss, which allowed Como to draw level in the standings with Juventus just one point back, as they had to head into European competition days later.

In a bid to remain the last Italian side in this season’s Europa League, Roma managed to come back from being behind to secure a draw in Thursday’s first leg against Bologna at Stadio Dall’Ara.

This round of 16 tie continues next week in Rome, with a quarter-final encounter against either Lille or Aston Villa in sight, but before that, the Giallorossi face a crucial domestic clash.

Before their trip to Como, Gasperini may be worried about his team’s record of six defeats in their last 10 away games, having won every one of their first four this season.

They currently possess the weakest record among the top six teams in Serie A, yet Roma did manage to secure a 1-0 victory against Como when they last faced off at Stadio Olimpico three months ago.

Although Wesley’s goal led to their defeat in December, Como has triumphed in both of the past two encounters at their picturesque lakeside venue – though those matches were separated by a lengthy interval of 21 years.

More importantly, Como has managed to keep pace with Roma by losing only once in their last eight league fixtures, which included three consecutive wins over Juventus, Lecce, and Cagliari.

Como extended their winning streak with a 2-1 triumph away from home against Cagliari, with Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha both finding the net, as they edge closer to the season’s conclusion with just 10 games remaining.

Only AC Milan has conceded fewer goals this season, and Cesc Fabregas recently led his team to a goalless draw against league leaders Inter in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.

While a considerable budget may have contributed, Fabregas has overseen a significant enhancement in their performance, especially after the club’s rise from Serie B less than two years ago.

Como has already surpassed 50 points for the first time in Italy’s top division, setting their sights on an even loftier goal – the esteemed opportunity of Champions League football.

Team News

While Gasperini may consider rotating his squad between two Europa League fixtures against Bologna, Roma continues to face a shortage of attacking options: Paulo Dybala (knee), Artem Dovbyk (thigh), and Evan Ferguson (ankle) will all be sidelined.

Matias Soule is also dealing with muscle issues, and key defender Evan Ndicka will be serving a suspension, but the visitors can welcome back Gianluca Mancini – who missed Thursday’s UEFA match due to a one-game ban – while Manu Kone is expected to be fit for selection.

With limited alternatives, Donyell Malen might be called upon to start once again: not long after his arrival, he’s already joined Soule as Roma’s top scorer of the league and was awarded the title of ‘Serie A Player of the Month’ for February.

On the other hand, Como boasts a formidable attacking lineup, featuring two strikers, Tasos Douvikas and Nico Paz, who require just one more goal to reach double figures. Paz will likely recall scoring against Roma last December, during their last encounter at Sinigaglia.

Besides his main attacking talents, Fabregas has a strong array of forwards to choose from, including Assane Diao, Alvaro Morata, and Baturina, all of whom have returned to full fitness recently.

Only Dutch winger Jayden Addai is confirmed unavailable, although Maximo Perrone experienced a minor thigh strain in the previous match.

Como probable starting XI:

Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Roma probable starting XI:

Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Pisilli, Pellegrini; Malen

In a scenario that may ultimately favor Juventus, these contenders for the top four are likely to share the spoils with just one point each.

The tactical duel between ‘Gasp’ and Fabregas promises yet another closely contested battle with only a few pivotal moments expected to arise.