Serie A | Gameweek 33

Apr 19, 2025 at 2pm UK

Stadio Comunale Via del Mare

Lecce vs Como

Match preview

A week after ending a run of five consecutive defeats, Lecce fell on the wrong side of a 2-1 loss to Juventus in Turin last Saturday.

Despite captain Federico Baschirotto finding the net for the second time in as many days, the Salento side were unable to mount a late comeback and ended up making the long journey home empty-handed.

One of only four outfield players to have played every minute in Serie A this season - Juve's injured defender Bremer is the only defender to have scored more headers in the last three seasons - the burly centre-back could be playing in Italy's second tier next season.

Lecce have picked up just one point from their last seven matches, thanks to Baschirotto's strike in a 1-1 draw with Venezia, and are precariously perched above the relegation zone.

The Giallorossi have failed to score in five of their last seven home games as star striker Nikola Krstovic continues to plough a lonely furrow up front, and if they fail to win again this weekend, it will be their 10th league game without a win.

So Marco Giampaolo's men will be hoping their visitors are ready to ease off the accelerator, with a place in next season's Serie A all but assured.

After a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture in December, courtesy of goals from Nico Paz and Patrick Cutrone, Como remain unbeaten in top-flight meetings with Lecce, boasting an impressive record of four wins and one draw.

Most of those games took place many years ago, but Cesc Fabregas and Co are well placed to continue that trend on Saturday, having just recorded back-to-back victories that all but sealed the safety of a club that was promoted to the top flight last summer.

Last time out, the Lariani recorded a sixth home win at the expense of Torino, making it four games without defeat in front of their home fans at the Stadio Sinigaglia: January signing Anastasios Douvikas scored the only goal on the stroke of half-time.

The Greek striker was one of several mid-season acquisitions made by the ambitious Lombardy outfit - a luxury most of their relegation rivals could not afford - and they are now 12 points clear of the drop.

Much closer to a top-half finish, Como can boost their chances of an unexpected top-10 finish by winning three Serie A games on the spin - a feat last achieved in 1952.

Recent Performance

Lecce Serie A form:LLLLDL

Como Serie A form:LDLDWW

Team News

The loss of first-choice defender Gaby Jean to a season-ending knee injury last week has forced Lecce to make changes at the back, with Marco Giampaolo considering reverting to a back four.

Long-term absentee Filip Marchwinski is the only other man missing for the hosts, leaving Giampaolo with a near full-strength squad to choose from.

Nikola Krstovic will undoubtedly be the focal point up front, having reached double figures in Serie A with a goal against Genoa last month.

Como's Nico Paz, the youngest player to register at least five goals and five assists this season, should recover from a calf problem that forced him off against Torino.

It remains to be seen whether the Real Madrid loanee will replace Anastasios Douvikas in attack, or whether Cesc Fabregas will opt for a front four with both - ex-Lecce man Gabriel Strefezza is among the contenders.

Only centre-back Alberto Dossena (ACL) and veteran midfielder Sergi Roberto (thigh) are sidelined through injury.

Possible starting lineup

Lecce possible starting lineup:

Falcone; Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Pierret, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Helgason, Morente; Krstovic

Como possible starting lineup:

Butez; Vojvoda, Goldaniga, Kempf, Valle; Caqueret, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao; Douvikas