Hellas Verona vs Como

Hellas Verona, currently struggling for form, face a daunting challenge as they prepare to host high-flying Como at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi in Serie A’s penultimate matchweek. The Gialloblu are desperate to snap a seven-game winless streak, but their task is made even more difficult by the fact that their opponents are arguably the league’s most in-form side. Under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas, Como have been nothing short of sensational, stringing together four consecutive victories last month—a run that earned the Spanish manager the prestigious Serie A Coach of the Month award for April. Now, the newly promoted side are aiming for a seventh straight win, a feat that would further solidify their remarkable campaign.  

For Verona, the primary objective remains securing their Serie A status for another season. While they currently sit in 15th place, their position is not yet mathematically secure. A five-point buffer separates Paolo Zanetti’s men from the relegation-threatened duo of Lecce (18th) and Empoli (19th), meaning that a single positive result could be enough to guarantee survival. However, their recent performances have done little to inspire confidence. Since a narrow 1-0 victory over Udinese in mid-March, the Mastini have managed just four points from a possible 21, with that solitary win being their only triumph in their last 10 league outings. Should they fail to reverse their fortunes against Como, that dismal run could extend to 11 matches, further intensifying the anxiety among the Bentegodi faithful.  

Making matters worse is Verona’s historical struggles against Como in Serie A. The hosts are winless in their last six encounters with the Lombardy-based side, and given the stark contrast in form between the two teams, that streak could very well stretch to seven. While Verona have been laboring near the bottom, Como have been scripting one of the most impressive stories of the season. Their recent six-match winning streak has seen them emulate Lazio’s legendary 1972-73 squad as the only promoted team in Serie A history to achieve such a run in a single campaign. That Lazio side went on to win eight in a row, and now Fàbregas’ men will be eager to inch closer to that record by securing a seventh consecutive victory.  

Beyond just their remarkable form, Como’s return to the top flight after a 21-year absence has been nothing short of extraordinary. What many expected to be a season of survival has instead turned into a potential top-half finish. Sitting in 10th place, the Lariani are four points clear of Torino in 11th, meaning that a win against Verona would all but confirm their place in the upper echelon of the table. Given that there are only six points left to play for this season, their margin for error is slim, but their momentum makes them strong favorites heading into Sunday’s clash.  

Adding to Como’s confidence is their impressive away record against teams in the lower half of the table. Verona, meanwhile, have been far from convincing at home, managing just one win in their last 12 matches at the Bentegodi. The reverse fixture between these two sides earlier in the season was a thrilling affair, with Como edging a 3-2 victory in Lombardy. If they can replicate that performance, they will complete a league double over Verona for the first time in their Serie A history—another milestone in what has already been a historic campaign.  

For Verona, the equation is simple: avoid defeat, and they will likely secure another season in Italy’s top division. However, against a Como side brimming with confidence and attacking flair, that task is far easier said than done. The match promises to be a fascinating contrast in fortunes—one team fighting for survival, the other chasing history.