Serie A | Gameweek 15

Dec 8, 2024 at 5pm UK

Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

Veneziavs.Como

Match preview

It looks like Eusebio Di Francesco's time as coach of Venezia might be coming to an end. Last week's 3-0 defeat by Bologna at Stadio Dall'Ara left the Lagunari at the bottom of the table.

This is their fourth straight loss, with just one goal for and seven against. It followed a home defeat to relegation rivals Lecce, which has really knocked their morale. They are now four points adrift of safety.

Venezia have scored the fewest open play goals in Serie A this season, with just four so far. When they do score, they often struggle to hold on to the lead. Since returning to Italy's top tier, Di Francesco's side have effectively dropped 14 points from winning positions.

So, last season's Serie B playoff winners have only managed two wins this season, and none since October. They also exited the Coppa Italia in the first round.

So, there's a lot at stake when they play a direct rival for a place in the top flight. On the bright side, history is on their side this weekend. They've been unbeaten in five games against Como at Stadio Penzo.

As it happens, Como's last league win in Venice was way back in September 1994. Since then, the two clubs haven't often crossed paths.

Now, the lakeside Lariani are visiting the lagoonside Lagunari, hoping not to sink any further towards the depths of Serie A, following a pretty poor run of form over the past two months.

One of only four teams without a win in Europe's top five leagues since September, Como have recently joined Venezia in the relegation zone.

After being held to a 1-1 home draw by Lombardy rivals Monza last time out, Cesc Fàbregas has seen his side's run without a win extend to eight games. They're still waiting for their first clean sheet of the season.

The team was promoted following investment from wealthy backers – and with the involvement of Fabregas, Thierry Henry and regular Hollywood visitors, they were expected to succeed. However, reality has since bitten hard.

Recent Performance

Venezia Serie A form:DWLLLL

Como Serie A form:LLLDLD

Team News

Venezia will be without Jesse Joronen, Alfred Duncan and John Yeboah this weekend due to injury, while wing-back Francesco Zampano recently had surgery on his hand and may not be ready to return.

With Yeboah out, it looks like Eusebio Di Francesco will stick with a front line of Gianluca Busio and Gaetano Oristanio behind lone striker Joel Pohjanpalo. He's scored in each of his last three league appearances against Como (all in Serie B).

Meanwhile, Patrick Cutrone – who scored against Venezia when the sides met in March – has joined Pohjanpalo in struggling to score since October. The Como forward hasn't scored in any of his last eight league games, after finding the net four times in six at the start of the season.

Cesc Fàbregas is still without Sergi Roberto and Maximo Perrone, who have been out for several weeks, but he can welcome back two regular starters.

Not only is centre-back Alberto Dossena available after serving a suspension, but midfielder Luca Mazzitelli – who scored five Serie A goals for Frosinone last season and a great strike against Lazio earlier this season – should return from injury.

Possible starting lineup

Venezia possible starting lineup:

Stankovic; Idzes, Svoboda, Sverko; Ellertsson, Crnigoj, Nicolussi Caviglia, Haps; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo

Como possible starting lineup:

Audero; Van der Brempt, Dossena, Kempf, Moreno; Engelhardt, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone