Udinese Vs Como

As the international break approaches, Udinese aims to close out their pre-break fixtures with a victory this Sunday when they welcome newly promoted Como to the Dacia Arena. The Friulani, undefeated thus far this season, have had a promising run, while their visitors are still in search of their first win since returning to Serie A.

Match Preview

Udinese's Florian Thauvin celebrates a goal in their recent clash against Lazio.

In their previous encounter, Udinese showcased their formidable form with an early lead against Lazio. Within five minutes of kickoff, they had secured the advantage and maintained their dominance throughout much of the match. Despite being reduced to ten men midway through the second half, the Bianconeri managed to clinch a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from forwards Lorenzo Lucca and Florian Thauvin.

Adding to their impressive start, Udinese also enjoyed a commanding 4-0 victory in the Coppa Italia against Serie B side Avellino. Under the guidance of new manager Kosta Runjaic, the team achieved a solid debut in the league with a 1-1 draw against Bologna, despite a missed penalty by Thauvin. This draw ensured Udinese’s unbeaten run for the season remained intact.

In fact, their current streak of not losing in the league extends to seven matches, which marks their best run in almost two years. This record includes a remarkable escape from relegation last season. Having previously struggled with a series of draws, Udinese is now eager to secure back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time since March 2023.

Como manager Cesc Fabregas in May 2024.

Como, who last faced Udinese in Serie A over two decades ago, are determined to overcome their historical struggles in Udine. The last encounter between the two teams in Serie A occurred in the spring of 2003, where Como fell 3-2 to an Udinese side managed by Luciano Spalletti. Fabio Pecchia, now the coach of Parma, was among the scorers for Udinese in that match.

Como has never won a top-flight game in Udine, having lost six of their nine previous attempts. This Sunday, they will be aiming to break that poor record.

Head coach Cesc Fabregas is keen to secure a win before the international break, especially after a challenging start to the season. Como were eliminated from the Coppa Italia early and have managed only one point from their first two league matches since their promotion.

Their campaign began with a heavy defeat to Juventus, followed by a more balanced performance in their second match against Cagliari. A goal from Patrick Cutrone in the second half earned them a 1-1 draw in Sardinia.

Como's aspirations are bolstered by their financially wealthy owners who have made significant signings, including Raphael Varane, Pepe Reina, and Sergi Roberto. Fabregas is under pressure to keep his promotion-winning squad competitive in Serie A, and securing a win soon is crucial to ensure their survival in the top flight.