The Friday night lights are shining on the Mapei Stadium tonight as Sassuolo host Como in a Matchday 33 clash that carries weight at both ends of the table. While Sassuolo are looking to shake off a run of inconsistent form and climb back into the top half, Cesc Fàbregas’s Como side are hunting for a result to solidify their grip on a top-five European spot.
It’s a classic battle of styles: the resilient, counter-attacking “Neroverdi” against the possession-heavy, progressive “I Lariani.”
Tactical Preview: The Fàbregas Blueprint vs Grosso’s Grit
Sassuolo enter this game in 11th place, licking their wounds after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Genoa last weekend. Fabio Grosso’s side has struggled for defensive stability lately, conceding in their last six consecutive matches. However, with Domenico Berardi and Andrea Pinamonti leading the line, they always possess the individual quality to punish teams on the break.
Como, sitting pretty in 5th, are coming off a wild 4-3 loss to Inter Milan—a game that proved they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite in terms of scoring, even if their backline gets exposed. Under Fàbregas, they boast the second-best goal difference in the league (+30) and haven’t lost an away game in their last nine outings. Expect them to hog the ball (averaging over 60% possession) and look for the creative spark of Nico Paz to unlock the Sassuolo defense.
Team News & Lineups:
• Sassuolo: Expect a familiar 4-3-3. Ismaël Koné, fresh off a goal against Genoa, will likely anchor the midfield alongside Thorstvedt.
• Como: They’ll be without Jayden Addai (Achilles). Tasos Douvikas, the team’s top scorer, will be the man Sassuolo’s defenders need to circle in red.
Prediction: Goals on the Menu
History favors the visitors, as Como has won both of the most recent meetings between these two. While Sassuolo are formidable at home, their defensive “leakiness” plays right into the hands of a Como side that scores for fun.
Sassuolo will likely find the net given their three-game scoring streak, but the sheer technical quality and momentum of Fàbregas’s men should be enough to see them leave with all three points.
Our Pick: Sassuolo 1-2 Como
