Analysing the opposition: Como

Following their Champions League victory away to Feyenoord, their second win in this season’s League Phase, Inter are preparing for their next Serie A fixture: the final game before the international break. The Nerazzurri will welcome Como to San Siro for Matchday 11. Last season’s meetings between the sides produced plenty of goals and entertainment, with two teams boasting plenty of quality set to face each other once again. Inter sit second in the table on 25 points, with the league’s second-best attack having scored 26 goals. Como are fourth on 23 points and share the best defensive record in the division with Lazio, having conceded just eight goals. Fabregas’ side enjoyed a resounding 1-9 Champions League victory away to Lens during the week and have made an impressive start to the season both in Italy and in Europe.

FORMATION AND STYLE OF PLAY

Now in his fourth season in charge of Como, Fabregas has built a recognisable playing system tailored to the talent of his attacking players, while also giving his side defensive balance. The Catalan coach has implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation that allows at least four attacking players to operate together, making the most of their athleticism and willingness to track back to maintain the right distances across the pitch. Como are particularly strong in possession, using the ball to pin opponents back in their own half and create opportunities to score. Across the first ten matchdays, the Lariani have averaged 62.1% possession, the second-highest figure in Serie A behind Inter (62.4%). However, that dominance has not translated into a particularly high number of goalscoring opportunities: with 18 goals in ten games, Como have the sixth-best attack in the league, a figure in line with their expected goals (xG) total of 18.32.

Fabregas’ side mostly build their attacks in two ways: in the wide areas, where two full-backs push forward constantly, deliver quality crosses and combine with the attacking midfielders, and through intricate combinations in tight spaces around the edge of the opposition box. Como are particularly dangerous when they can give a player space to deliver a cross. Their attacking players are excellent at filling the penalty area, regularly getting at least three players into the box: the striker, the attacking midfielder on the opposite wing and one of the two holding midfielders making a late run. The versatility and intelligence of players such as Nico Paz, Baturina and Da Cunha in finding space and occupying pockets between the lines also allow Como to create numerical advantages around the edge of the box. With several players close to the ball, they can combine in tight spaces and look for shooting opportunities. The attacking midfielders’ ability to strike from distance provides another weapon: Como attempted 203 shots in the first ten matchdays, the second-highest total in the division behind Inter’s 220.

Defensively, Como look to press opponents in their own half at different stages of the game. They have scored four goals after winning possession high up the pitch. This approach has proved effective, although it can also leave space for opponents to exploit when they beat the press. Fabregas’ side have also struggled at times against teams capable of pressing aggressively during their build-up play from the back (Torino and Feyenoord), as well as sides able to switch play quickly after winning possession.

THE START OF THE SEASON

Como have collected 23 points from their first ten league games, recording seven wins, two draws and one defeat, with 18 goals scored and eight conceded. They are currently on a run of four consecutive Serie A victories. In the Champions League, they have earned nine points from four games: two 4-1 home wins against Leipzig and Manchester United, a remarkable 1-9 away victory over Lens and a 3-2 defeat against Feyenoord. The opening two months of the season have been highly positive for Fabregas’ side, who have shown impressive consistency both in their results and in the quality of their performances. Como began their campaign with a draw away to Udinese before securing three points on the road against Napoli (1-2) and Genoa (1-2), followed by a 2-1 home win over Parma. Their first and only league defeat then came away to Frosinone (2-0). After a goalless draw against Roma, Como went on to win four games in a row against Fiorentina (1-3), Sassuolo (2-0), Torino (1-3) and Venezia (1-0). These matches presented different challenges and tested the Lariani in a variety of situations, but neither their playing style nor their approach changed. Against Venezia, Como dominated possession and looked to work their way around Nicola’s deep defensive block. A quick combination inside the box led to a penalty, which Da Cunha converted to settle the game. The match against Torino presented a different challenge. Como struggled against the pressure and intensity applied by Abate’s side, who took the lead after winning possession close to the Lariani penalty area and came close to doubling their advantage on several occasions through counter-attacks. However, Como turned the game around in the closing stages, scoring three times in the final minutes by making the most of Nico Paz’s quality and their ability to get plenty of players into the Granata box. Against Sassuolo, their work down the wings and high pressing proved decisive, allowing Douvikas to score twice. High turnovers and lethal transitions were also key against Fiorentina: a press around the edge of the opposition box led to Liberali’s opening goal, while a quick attack down the wing set up Nico Paz’s headed finish.

GIOCATORI CHIAVE

Rosa giovane (età media di 25,7 anni) e ricca di giocatori di talento, il Como può contare su diversi elementi capaci di fare la differenza in ogni reparto. Il giocatore attorno a cui gira la fase offensiva lariana è Nico Paz, reduce da un’annata da 12 gol e 7 assist, uno dei trascinatori alla qualificazione in Champions League conquistata nello scorso campionato. Giocatore completo tecnicamente e fisicamente, dotato di un piede sinistro di livello assoluto, Paz ama svariare sul fronte offensivo, legare il gioco e cercare la conclusione. Un vero e proprio regista offensivo, capace di fare la differenza in più zone di campo: può rendersi pericoloso dalla distanza e su calcio da fermo, è in grado di allargarsi per cercare il cross ma anche di inserirsi coi tempi giusti per staccare di testa (due gol in campionato sono arrivati in questo modo, contro Fiorentina e Torino).

Ad affiancare l’argentino sulla trequarti del Como ci sono Baturina e Da Cunha, giocatori estremamente tecnici e versatili, capaci di vedere la porta da lontano e di occupare al meglio gli spazi intermedi tra il centrocampo e la difesa avversaria. I movimenti e le combinazioni di questi tre giocatori sono spesso decisivi nella produzione offensiva del Como, ma il loro lavoro prevede anche un grande impegno in fase di pressing: contro il Manchester United, ad esempio, il primo gol nasce da un’iniziativa di Da Cunha sulla sinistra, che vede l’inserimento di Nico Paz alle spalle di Matheus Cunha. Il dieci del Como riceve al limite dell’area e, sfruttando la distanza di Maguire, sposta il pallone sul sinistro e calcia a giro sul secondo palo. Nel secondo tempo, invece, realizza la propria doppietta recuperando un pallone su Baleba per poi mettersi in proprio e andare a concludere.

Davanti a loro agisce Tasos Douvikas, attaccante estremamente versatile e in grado di rendersi pericoloso in più modi, capocannoniere della Champions League con 6 gol in quattro partite: bravissimo ad attaccare la profondità, forte fisicamente e nel lavoro spalle alla porta, abile ad attaccare il centro dell’area. Saranno invece assenti Diao e Kean, due profili in grado di alzare il tasso di velocità, fisicità e dribbling.

L’equilibrio del Como si basa sul grande lavoro svolto dalla coppia di mediani: Maximo Perrone, Luis Milla e Maxence Caqueret si alternano, a volte insieme a Da Cunha, nei due slot davanti alla difesa. I mediani sono un collante tra fase difensiva e offensiva, spesso abbassandosi tra i centrali per costruire gioco, arrivando poi a supporto dell’azione nell’attacco dell’area opposta, schermo davanti alla retroguardia, pressione sui riferimenti avversari. A guidare la linea difensiva, invece, è Jacobo Ramon: centrale fisico e tecnico, abile in impostazione e molto pericoloso nel gioco aereo con già 3 gol attivo in stagione tra Serie A e Champions League. Al suo fianco ha trovato posto Kempf vista l’assenza di Chalobah, mentre sulle fasce Fabregas può contare su terzini di qualità e spinta come Yan Couto, Alex Valle e Kaiki.