Como vs. Juventus | Serie A | Pre Match

Seeking consecutive league wins for the first time since November, Juventus will travel to face Serie A strugglers Como on Friday evening in what promises to be a crucial fixture for both sides. The Bianconeri head to Stadio Sinigaglia fresh off the back of an emphatic comeback victory over Empoli, while their hosts find themselves reeling from consecutive defeats that have left them precariously close to the relegation zone. With Juventus still striving to consolidate their place among the top four and Como fighting for survival, this encounter carries significant weight for both teams.

Juventus' previous outing saw them overcome a disastrous start to secure all three points against an ailing Empoli side. The match began on a sour note for Massimiliano Allegri’s men when former Juve defender Mattia De Sciglio struck early for the Tuscan club, putting them in front within the opening minutes. The situation worsened when goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio conceded a penalty, momentarily leaving the visitors staring at a potential upset. However, a timely VAR intervention ruled that a prior handball had occurred, nullifying Empoli’s opportunity to extend their lead. From there, Juventus seized control of the game, turning the tide in their favor. Recent signing Randal Kolo Muani was at the heart of their resurgence, netting a crucial brace—including a fortunate second goal—before the match was put beyond doubt with two additional stoppage-time strikes. The late goals came after Empoli had been reduced to ten men, further cementing Juventus' superiority in the latter stages.

With that victory, Juventus have positioned themselves to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time in nearly three months, a feat that would propel them above Lazio and back into fourth place in the Serie A standings. However, their path is far from straightforward. Despite boasting undeniable quality, Thiago Motta’s side has been plagued by inconsistency this season, having recorded just nine wins from their 23 league fixtures. A string of frustrating draws has prevented them from fully asserting themselves in the race for Champions League qualification, meaning that Friday's match presents an opportunity to solidify their position and build momentum for the crucial weeks ahead. Anything less than three points at Stadio Sinigaglia would be seen as a major setback, particularly given their historical dominance over Como.

Como’s record against Juventus does little to inspire confidence in their camp. The Lariani have failed to win any of their last ten home meetings against the Bianconeri, with their last victory in any Serie A encounter dating back to January 1952—over seven decades ago. Their most recent meeting, at the beginning of the season, ended in a resounding 3-0 defeat in Turin, a match that underscored the gulf in quality between the two sides. Since then, Como have made strides in adjusting to the demands of top-flight football, particularly around the turn of the year when they put together a run of positive results that helped them climb out of the relegation zone. However, their recent form paints a concerning picture, as back-to-back losses have left them teetering dangerously close to the drop, with just a two-point cushion separating them from the bottom three.

Como’s response to their struggles has been to actively reinforce their squad during the winter transfer window, making several acquisitions in an effort to bolster their survival bid. Yet, the impact of these signings has yet to be fully realized, as the Lombardy-based club continues to search for a winning formula. Their last two defeats, against Atalanta BC and Bologna, have exposed defensive frailties and an inability to see games through when under pressure. Perhaps most alarmingly, Como have now gone eight consecutive away matches without a victory, further highlighting their struggles on the road. Nevertheless, their home form offers some cause for optimism, as they have suffered just four league defeats at Stadio Sinigaglia since earning promotion from Serie B. If they are to upset Juventus, their strong home performances will need to be the foundation upon which they build.

Juventus will be dealing with their own selection concerns heading into Friday’s match. First-choice center-back Pierre Kalulu remains sidelined with a muscular injury, paving the way for January arrival Renato Veiga to make his debut last weekend. The Chelsea loanee performed well and could be trusted to retain his spot in the starting lineup. Kalulu's absence is compounded by the long-term injuries to key players such as Bremer, Juan Cabal, and Arkadiusz Milik, all of whom remain unavailable. Additionally, Andrea Cambiaso continues to struggle with an ankle issue, raising questions about the club's defensive stability. On the positive side, new recruit Lloyd Kelly has recovered from a minor setback and should be available for selection after making the switch from Newcastle United in the winter window.

In attack, the biggest dilemma for Thiago Motta revolves around his striking options. Dusan Vlahovic, once considered the undisputed first-choice forward, has found himself relegated to the bench in recent weeks. However, the Serbian marksman made an impact as a substitute in the win over Empoli, scoring his first Serie A goal of 2025 after being introduced in the second half. His impressive cameo could see him restored to the starting lineup alongside Kolo Muani, who has been in red-hot form since arriving in Turin. The French international has already scored three goals in his first two league appearances for the club, and if he finds the net again on Friday, he will become the first Juventus player this century to score in his first three Serie A outings—a testament to his immediate impact.

Como, despite their precarious position, possess attacking threats of their own, most notably in the form of Nico Paz. The Real Madrid loanee has been in scintillating form at home, having found the net in each of his last four appearances at Stadio Sinigaglia. His ability to drive forward, create chances, and beat defenders with his dribbling skills has made him one of the most exciting players in Italy’s top flight this season. In fact, his tally of 45 completed dribbles is the highest in the division, underscoring his importance to Como’s attacking setup. However, the hosts will be without Alieu Fadera, who is serving a suspension, while a lengthy injury list continues to plague them. Key players such as Alberto Moreno, Sergi Roberto, Alessandro Gabrielloni, and Ignace Van der Brempt remain unavailable, further limiting their options.

Como’s recent influx of signings has provided some much-needed depth, with the club securing the services of Maxence Caqueret, Alex Valle, Assane Diao, and Jonathan Ikone in an ambitious bid to improve their fortunes. However, the departure of Italy international Andrea Belotti, who has been loaned to Benfica after failing to rediscover his best form, leaves them without a proven goal-scorer. New arrival Anastasios Douvikas has been brought in to help shoulder the attacking burden, but whether he can make an immediate impact remains to be seen.

Ultimately, Juventus will enter Friday’s contest as the clear favorites, given their superior squad quality, recent form, and historical dominance over Como. However, football has a habit of producing surprises, and the Lariani will be determined to defy the odds on home turf. With both teams having so much to play for—Juventus seeking to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place and Como fighting for top-flight survival—the stage is set for a compelling battle at Stadio Sinigaglia.