Serie A | Gameweek 14

Nov 30, 2024 at 2pm UK

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Comovs.Monza

Match preview

After losing 2-0 at home to Fiorentina last week, Como's only two wins since returning to the Italian top flight were back-to-back in late September.

Before and after that brief run of good form, the Lombardy club have struggled to pick up points, and they have now lost five of their last seven Serie A matches.

After 13 games, Como have fallen into the relegation zone. This has led rookie coach Cesc Fabregas to defend his squad, saying that expectations are unrealistic.

After being promoted from Serie B with a lot of publicity, including Fabregas, Thierry Henry and star signing Raphael Varane grabbing the headlines, reality has hit hard.

The Lariani's lack of firepower is a concern. They've only scored one goal for every 22 balls played into the opposition box this term, which is the fourth-worst ratio in the league.

On the other side of the coin, they're one of just three teams in Europe's top five leagues that haven't kept a clean sheet yet, so Fabregas has his work cut out for him.

Monza went eight games unbeaten against Como in Serie B and Serie C, but they came away empty-handed from the club's last contest, which was in Italy's second tier two years ago.

Since then, the Brianzoli have set the bar for promoted clubs, with some bold recruitment helping them achieve mid-table stability under former boss Raffaele Palladino.

However, things have taken a turn for the worse recently, going back to the end of Palladino's time in charge. Monza have only won one of their last 22 league matches, which was a 3-0 victory at Hellas Verona in October.

During that time, they've earned the fewest points of any side still in Serie A – only 12 – and current coach Alessandro Nesta might think the board's patience is wearing thin.

Monza, who are looking forward to a last-16 Coppa Italia clash with Bologna next week, were again lucky to have a goal from veteran striker Milan Djuric last time out. His header saved the day against Torino and put a stop to their streak of three straight defeats.

Nesta's men have failed to score in half of their 16 away matches this year, with only Lecce having done worse. They'll be hoping to defy this form and surpass their hosts in the standings when they make the short trip to Como.

Recent Performance

Como Serie A form:DLLLDL

Monza Serie A form:WDLLLD

Team News

After being sent off during stoppage time against Fiorentina, Como centre-back Alberto Dossena will have to serve a suspension, so Edoardo Goldaniga might move inside from the right, with Ignace Van der Brempt returning at full-back.

Marc-Oliver Kempf could be an option if he's fully recovered from his muscle injury, but it looks like Sergi Roberto, Maximo Perrone and Alessandro Gabrielloni will miss out.

On a more positive note, Cesc Fàbregas, Luca Mazzitelli and Gabriel Strefezza should be back in action, with the latter set to join Nico Paz and Patrick Cutrone in the final third.

On the other hand, Monza are still without captain Matteo Pessina, his fellow midfielder Roberto Gagliardini and goalkeeper Alessio Cragno.

With Armando Izzo out for one match due to a ban, Alessandro Nesta will also have to make a change at the back, and Luca Caldirola is tipped to fill in.

Up front, Italy forward Daniel Maldini will be working with Milan Djuric, who has scored 12 headed goals in Serie A so far, including last week's equaliser against Torino. In the last four seasons in Europe's top five leagues, only Robert Lewandowski (13), Erling Haaland (14), and Harry Kane (23) have managed more.

Possible starting lineup

Como possible starting lineup:

Audero; Van der Brempt, Goldaniga, Barba, Moreno; Engelhardt, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone

Monza possible starting lineup:

Turati; Caldirola, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Bianco, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Maldini, Mota; Djuric