Monday is a historic day for Serie A newcomers Como as they head to Turin to take on Juventus in their first top-flight game in 21 years. Heavily fancied to take three points at their home stadium, the record-time Italian champions are looking forward to Thiago Motta’s touchline debut.
After staying outside the Scudetto picture for four years, Juventus made drastic changes at the end of last season. Massimiliano Allegri’s second stint at the Allianz Stadium ended rather unceremoniously. Despite leading the Bianconeri to a third-place finish, the six-time Serie A winner left the club under unpleasant circumstances.
Motta, who surprisingly guided Bologna to Champions League qualification last term, has come to pick up a slack. Alongside the former Inter midfielder, several new additions have walked through the Allianz Stadium welcome door this summer. Douglas Luiz, Khephren Thuram, Juan Cabal, and Michele Di Gregorio have strengthened the roster.
Speaking of acquisitions, Como have been among the most active Italian clubs in the transfer market. The arrival of ex-Manchester United center-back Raphael Varane is perhaps the most significant deal for the Lariani since the turn of the century. But the Frenchman isn’t the only eye-catching signing made by Cesc Fabregas’ side.
Andrea Belotti, Alberto Moreno, Gabriel Strefezza, Luca Mazzitelli, Emil Audero, and Pepe Reina are other new faces that are supposed to help Como avoid a swift return to Serie B. Monday’s trip to Turin has all the makings of a ‘baptism in fire.’ The newcomers will likely have to be at their best to inspire the visitors to a memorable start.
Match Preview
Juventus
Though Allegri’s football often bored Juventus fans to death, it paid dividends, as the Turin giants return to European football after a season-long absence. But before the new-look Champions League league phase puts the squeeze on the team’s calendar, Motta hopes to launch a genuine Scudetto push.
There’s no better place to make his competitive debut as Juventus manager than the Allianz Stadium. His men have lost a league-four Serie A home matches across the last two seasons, turning their stadium into a near-unbreachable fortress. That stronghold bids to repel Como, with the Bianconeri vying for another flying Serie A start.
Juventus have won their opening home league outing in seven of the last ten years (D1, L2). It’s equally significant to note that Motta’s men haven’t lost a Serie A game on their home ground since early February, stitching together a resounding seven-game unbeaten run in Turin (W3, D4).
However, with their last five league matches at home featuring under 2.5 goals, entertainment could be at a premium on Monday.
Como
Como reigned supreme in Serie B last season, racking up 73 points en route to a runner-up finish behind Parma. But the 2024/25 campaign was off to a slow start. After a 1-1 draw in regulation, second-tier Sampdoria bettered the Lariani on penalties in last weekend’s Coppa Italia round two.
Since it was only Como’s first defeat in ten competitive games (W6, D3), Fabregas remains optimistic about his side’s chances of upsetting the odds in Turin. The last time Como faced Juventus away from home in Serie A, they claimed a 1-1 draw in October 2002. There’s no doubt the traveling fans would appreciate an identical outcome.
That’s a daunting task, even though Como ended last season on a four-game unbeaten league run on the road (W2, D2). But the Lariani still must defy expectations to leave Turin undefeated. Ominously for Fabregas’ side, Juventus didn’t lose any of their six league games against newly-promoted teams last season (W3, D3).
Team News
Fabio Miretti is still on the sidelines with an injury. But Juventus will have the remainder of their squad fit and ready for the opening day clash, including all four summer signings. Only Cabal may not be part of Motta’s starting XI, with Andrea Cambiaso likely to start on the left wing.
As for Como, Varane picked up an injury against Sampdoria and may not recover in time to face Juventus. Audero should be in goal, while Moreno and Belotti look set to make their Serie A debuts for the Lariani from the start.
Juventus vs Como Potential Line-ups
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Michele Di Gregorio; Danilo, Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, Andrea Cambiaso; Douglas Luiz, Khephren Thuram; Timothy Weah, Nicolo Fagioli, Kenan Yildiz; Dusan Vlahovic.
Como (4-2-3-1): Emil Audero; Kovacik, Edoardo Goldaniga, Alberto Dossena, Alberto Moreno; Oliver Abildgaard, Luca Mazzitelli; Gabriel Strefezza, Patrick Cutrone, Lucas Da Cunha; Andrea Belotti.
Juventus vs Como Prediction
Juventus had an underwhelming pre-season. A 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in their final pre-season runout was hardly a good way to prepare for the opening league fixture. However, they’re still favorites to extend Como an unpleasant welcome to Serie A, and we expect them to live up to the billing.
Prediction: Juventus to Win
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |
Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Calcio Como