Como host Parma at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on 14 September 2026. Como are sixth on seven points after three rounds, having beaten Genoa and Napoli along the way, while Parma sit 17th with one point and one goal scored. Whatever the visitors' ambitions were coming into this campaign, another relegation battle is starting to look likelier than not.
Cesc Fabregas and Carlos Cuesta have never faced each other as managers. Fabregas has been in charge at Como since July 2024, when he replaced Osian Roberts permanently, Cuesta joined Parma as head coach in July 2025 after Cristian Chivu departed. Como's form reads W-W-D, a run that included putting four past Genoa without reply and beating Napoli 2-1. Beyond a draw with Monza, Parma have lost to Juventus and Cagliari and are yet to score more than once in any match.
Como are missing Jayden Addai through an Achilles tendon injury. Parma are in worse shape: Ousmane Diallo, Adrian Bernabe and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia are all out, leaving Cuesta thin in midfield and with almost no attacking cover. Bernabe and Nicolussi Caviglia in particular were among the few players capable of carrying the ball from deep or arriving late into the box and without them, whoever starts in midfield will be asked to do a job two players were already struggling to manage.
Fabregas sets Como up in a 4-2-3-1 that prioritises possession and quick transitions, while Parma's 3-4-2-1 has yielded one goal all season, a structure that appears to stifle their own attackers as much as the opposition's. Martin Baturina already has two goals in three league matches and will be looking to exploit the pockets behind Parma's wing backs, whereas Assane Diao and Anastasios Douvikas sit on two goals apiece and have scored in each of Como's wins.
Nico Paz operates between the lines, playing first time vertical passes that send Como's forwards in behind before defences can recover their shape. Keita has to hold the midfield together almost single handed now that Bernabe and Nicolussi Caviglia are gone, a tough ask against a side that rotates as much as Como do. Enrico Del Prato will organise the back three but his workload grows whenever Giovanni Fabbian drops deeper to help build play and if Baturina finds space early, Como's midfield takes control of the tempo and Diao and Douvikas, who have four goals between them in three matches, get exactly the service they need.
Como took points from both league meetings with Parma in 2025-26 and their attacking set piece routines have already created chances this season through near post movements. They have conceded just once across their three matches. Parma can hold shape at dead balls but losing three midfielders hurts their ability to contest second balls or launch counters after clearances. They have conceded seven goals in three matches and now travel to face an in form attack without those players, with a bench so thin in midfield that Cuesta has little room to change shape or tempo if they fall behind.
Como 3-0 Parma. Parma simply don't have the midfield to stay with Como for 90 minutes, especially with Bernabe and Nicolussi Caviglia missing and once Como have a lead to protect, the spaces Diao and Douvikas need will open up further, making a clean sheet the likelier outcome.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
