Pressure is a thing of beauty when it comes to the Serie A top-four race, as has been the case over the last many years. While last season was a bit different because of Napoli chasing down Inter Milan to win the title, once again, the most entertaining aspect of this league is the race for Champions League places, where high-flyers Como are at loggerheads with the experienced AS Roma.
Cesc Fabregas has led his Como side to an impressive four-game unbeaten run in Serie A and five overall, which includes three consecutive league wins. They also managed to defeat top-four rivals Juventus in that run, and now they must get a similar outcome in what is seen as their biggest game of the season against AS Roma.
It is quite incredible that Como have risen to this current level, considering they were in the second tier two years ago. Now, they enter Sunday’s game level on points with AS Roma and sitting in fourth on superior goal difference, and Fabregas will angle for a big scalp of their direct top-four rivals.
Once again, Roma are staring at the prospect of losing out on Champions League football due to their inconsistent run of results. Managing the Europa League and the top-four challenge in the league is also getting a bit tricky for Gian Piero Gasperini to handle at the moment, as seen in their round of 16 first-leg clash with Bologna away from home.
There are also concerns over Roma’s league form away from home, as they have lost six of their last ten games on the road. The matchday before last, they could only manage a 3-3 draw with fellow top-four hopefuls Juventus, and were beaten by Genoa last weekend, managed by Roma legend Daniele De Rossi.
Gasperini’s side have only two wins in their last seven in the league, and all signs point towards another difficult outing by Lake Como. For them to cement their status as a clear-cut top-four favourite, Roma must win away to Fabregas’ side on Sunday, as a defeat there could prove catastrophic considering they were seen as title contenders at one stage in this campaign.
Fabregas can look forward to this game with a nearly full squad at his disposal. Only Jayden Addai is unavailable for this clash with Roma, while there are doubts over Maximo Perrone following a minor thigh strain he suffered last time out.
The latter may be the subject of a late assessment to determine his availability, and the expectation is for him to start if fit, which he might well do. Without European football or a tight schedule to deal with, Fabregas has the luxury of naming a similar line-up that has been excellent over the last few weeks.
Fabregas might make a few tweaks, such as bringing in right-back Ivan Smolcic into the set-up at the expense of Van der Brempt.
Mergim Vojvoda could also feature on the left wing in place of Jesus Rodriguez, but there is a chance he might retain the former Real Betis star. Nico Paz and Tasos Douvikas are one goal away from hitting double figures for goals, as Fabregas will once again rely on the duo to get the job done in the attacking third.
Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1) – Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Baturina, Paz, Rodriguez; Douvikas
Unlike Fabregas, who may not need to rotate at all, given they only have the league and a domestic cup competition to focus on, Gasperini has a different scenario to deal with. The lack of attacking options will prevent the experienced Italian boss from rotating his pack in the final third, as the likes of Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, and Evan Ferguson remain on the treatment table for the time being.
There are also concerns over Matias Soule, who has a muscular problem, while defender Evan Ndicka is suspended for this clash. Gasperini might be able to bring Gianluca Mancini back into the fold after he missed the midweek European clash with a suspension, and he will be part of the back three.
Back to the attacking set-up, Donyell Malen might be needed to start again and lead the line, as the Serie A Player of the Month for February has already matched top scorer Soulé for goals in the league.
Daniele Ghilardi, Mancini, and Mario Hermoso are expected to start at the back with Zeki Celik and Wesley in the wing-back roles. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will be tasked with midfield duties, while Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini will support Malen in the attacking third.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1) – Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Pisilli, Pellegrini; Malen
The young Argentine sensation has been the key cog in this Como side this season, and his performances have helped them reach this dream position of finishing in the top four. Moving forward, starting with this key game against Roma, he could further the club’s ambitions to consolidate their place in the top four.
Paz is one goal away from hitting double figures for goals in Serie A, and there is every chance he could do the same for assists, too, should things click for the Argentine. Fabregas will hope his key attacker continues on his brilliant season and takes them over the line against Roma.
Roma might have the heritage and the know-how of dealing with the top-four race, but underestimating this flying Como side could be the biggest mistake Gasperini makes. The capital club are not in the kind of form that would make them favourites ahead of this huge trip to their top-four rivals, and Gasperini’s men might be made to suffer.
Como are in a fantastic position ahead of this big clash with Roma, as Fabregas will make the best use of the time his team have on their hands, given they are not participating in Europe. With fresh legs and a fine vein of form, Como are expected to take three points and consolidate their place in the top four on Sunday.
