Udinese kick off their Serie A campaign at home against a Como side that finished fourth last season. The hosts will be without suspended centre-back Christian Kabasele, a notable blow to their defensive stability. Recent meetings have been low-scoring affairs, with last…
Udinese vs Como: Team News & Serie A Opening Day Preview
Udinese kick off the 2026/27 Serie A season at their Bluenergy Stadium home against Como on Saturday 22 August, with kick-off set for 18:30 CEST. The match is the first competitive outing for both sides and marks Como's second consecutive campaign in the Italian top flight. It brings together two clubs with contrasting ambitions: Udinese are looking to build on a mid-table finish, while Cesc Fàbregas's ambitious Como side harbour European aspirations.
Team News and Injury Latest
Kosta Runjaić has lost a few squad members over the summer, with Arthur Atta departing for Fiorentina, Jordan Zemura joining Watford, and central defender Thomas Kristensen bound for Atalanta. The arrivals of Unai Gomez and Mergim Vojvoda add fresh options, but attacking midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze is currently injured and full-back Alessandro Zanoli is still recovering from an ACL rupture. Christian Kabasele's absence is particularly relevant in the three-man backline, leaving Oumar Solet as the crucial anchor alongside Nicolò Bertola and any younger defenders Runjaić chooses to trust from the start.
Como's summer business has been striking. Trevoh Chalobah has arrived from Chelsea on a contract until 2031, and Yan Couto featured during the pre-season draw with Arsenal. The headline, however, is that Nico Paz remains at the club. The Argentine midfielder was named Serie A's best midfielder last season and sits at the centre of Fàbregas's possession-based system. Anastasios Douvikas, one of Como's top scorers last term, and Álvaro Morata provide two contrasting profiles up front.
Como's Pre-Season and European Ambitions
Como head to Udine after a testing pre-season that included a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, in which Martin Baturina scored a superb equaliser, and a final friendly at Anfield against Liverpool. Fàbregas described those fixtures as "another opportunity to test ourselves against the very best in world football," adding that his squad needed to be fully focused ahead of new challenges. The club are also preparing for a historic debut in the UEFA Champions League, underlining how far they have come since promotion.
The depth in Como's squad allows Fàbregas to change tempo without altering the team's core identity. Luis Milla, Mattia Liberali, Maxence Caqueret, Lucas Da Cunha, Martin Baturina, Assane Diao and Jesús Rodríguez are all integrated into a model built on possession, high pressing and a technically strong link between midfield and attack.
Udinese's Pre-Season and Tactical Shape
Udinese's pre-season offered a more low-key build-up. Runjaić, now in his third year at the helm, took the team to a 10th-place finish last season and has kept a recognisable structure: a three-man defence, a compact central block and a physically powerful attack. The Coppa Italia tie against Calcio Padova gave fringe players a chance to impress, with Scotland midfielder Lennon Miller among those hoping for more Serie A minutes this season. The cup fixture also served as a final tune-up before the league curtain-raiser.
Key Battle: Oumar Solet vs Nico Paz
Solet's strength in duels and ability to defend large spaces will be tested immediately. As the most experienced member of the likely back three in Kabasele's absence, he must organise the line against a creator of Paz's quality. Paz's passing range and his connection with Douvikas's off-the-ball movement are Como's most dangerous route through the centre, and Udinese's ability to disrupt that link will shape the contest.
Como will also press high from the start, something Udinese's central block must play through if they are to avoid being pinned back. How Udinese's wing-backs, potentially Vojvoda, handle the wide overloads created by Couto and Álex Valle could determine whether the hosts can relieve pressure and turn the game in transition.
A Fixture with Recent History
These sides have met four times in Serie A across the last two seasons, with Como winning twice, Udinese once and one draw. Last season's corresponding fixture at the Bluenergy Stadium ended 0-0, a result that reflected how well-matched the two teams were on the day. Como's 4-1 win in January 2025 remains the standout recent result, but the BiancoBlu have since added significantly more quality and depth.
Saturday's game gives both managers an early chance to gauge where their squads stand before Udinese travel to Monza and Como host Napoli on the following matchday.
