Genoa vs Como – News and Probable Lineups

Following a disappointing exit from the cup earlier this week, Como must regroup for an important Serie A fixture against Genoa at Stadio Ferraris this Sunday.

Not only did the Lariani let their chance for a Coppa Italia final slip away, but their hopes for Champions League qualification are now seemingly out of reach.

Match overview

Just under two weeks after squandering a two-goal advantage and ultimately falling 4-3 to Inter de Milão in Serie A, Como faced an even tougher defeat in the cup at San Siro on Tuesday night.

The Lariani were on course to reach their first-ever Coppa Italia final, propelled by goals from Martin Baturina and captain Lucas Da Cunha, but they faltered once more.

Allowing three goals in the final thirty minutes resulted in a heartbreaking 3-2 aggregate loss, marking their fourth defeat to Inter in five encounters since their return to Italy’s top division.

Time for reflection is limited for an emotionally drained Cesc Fabregas and his out-of-form team, as Como’s aspirations for a Champions League spot are still in jeopardy.

After back-to-back league defeats against Inter and Sassuolo – matching the number of losses they had in their previous 16 Serie A matches – the Lombardy team sits five points behind Juventus, who hold the fourth position.

Ambitious and with considerable financial backing, the big-spending Biancoblu are also battling Roma for the final spot available at Europe’s top level, with several prominent clubs across the continent showing interest in Fabregas.

Having already set a record for away points in a top-flight season, Como will now aim to regain their momentum at Marassi – though this task may prove challenging.

After a rough start under former manager Patrick Vieira, Genoa have clinched five victories in their last seven home matches – equaling their total from the previous 18.

Current head coach Daniele De Rossi has secured half of his home encounters thus far, enabling the Grifone to create some distance from the relegation zone.

After consecutive 2-1 victories against Sassuolo and Pisa, they now sit 11 points clear of Serie A’s bottom three and are essentially safe with five matches left to play.

This turnaround has been impressive since the Ligurian team made a coaching change last autumn, with De Rossi averaging more points per game (1.56) compared to Fabregas (1.51).

Genoa have the opportunity to record three Serie A wins in a row for the first time since 2021, though they have yet to defeat Como since the Lariani returned to Italy’s top division.

Team News

Mergim Vojvoda joined Sergi Roberto and Jayden Addai on Como’s injury list just prior to the midweek defeat in Milan, while winger Assane Diao managed only a brief 20-minute appearance.

The latter is expected to be fit enough to start on Sunday, as Fabregas likely shifts away from the 3-4-2-1 formation used against Inter to a more traditional four-man defence.

Jesus Rodriguez is also in the mix, but Baturina and Nico Paz are the favorites to provide support for Tasos Douvikas up top.

Real Madrid target Paz has scored in his last two league games, contributing a total of six goals at home and away this season.

After netting the match-winning penalty against Pisa last week, Genoa forward Lorenzo Colombo is having his most prolific season, with seven Serie A goals so far.

Jeff Ekhator – who also scored in Tuscany – and Roma loanee Tommaso Baldanzi are expected to continue their partnership with Colombo in the attacking phase, though Vitinha is vying for a recall.

De Rossi will welcome back three midfielders, as Mikael Ellertsson, Ruslan Malinoxyi, and Morten Frendrup all return from one-match suspensions.

Both Brooke Norton-Cuffy (flexor) and Maxwel Cornet (muscular) are anticipated to be sidelined.

Genoa probable starting XI:

Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Malinoxyi, Martin; Baldanzi, Ekhator; Colombo

Como probable starting XI:

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

Playing without reservations, Genoa represents an entertaining watch under De Rossi, and they could add further disappointment to Como’s season.

Emotionally spent from their Coppa Italia semi-final exit, Cesc’s side now faces a challenging opponent at Stadio Ferraris, which will be in a celebratory atmosphere with the hosts’ survival nearly secured.