Napoli kicked off the season with a late surge at Empoli, while Como impressed with a high-shot draw away from home last weekend. Both sides show heavy squad turnover, with ten or more regulars absent from each team’s usual core of minutes, making early-season cohesion a…
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Sign inNapoli welcome Como to what is expected to be their home ground for the second round of the 2026-27 Serie A season on Sunday, 30 August. The match is an early test for new Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri, who faces the newly promoted visitors after replacing Antonio Conte in the summer.
Napoli are missing defensive duo Alessandro Buongiorno and Marianucci through injury, leaving head coach Massimiliano Allegri with decisions to make at the back. There is also uncertainty over whether Kevin De Bruyne will start, with reports from Telecom Asia Sport suggesting the experienced midfielder may not be risked from the outset.
Massimiliano Allegri is expected to line the Partenopei up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Meret in goal behind a back four of Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, and Spinazzola. The midfield trio is likely to feature Anguissa, Lobotka, and McTominay, while a fluid front three of Politano, Hojlund, and Alisson carries the attacking threat. Como’s team news is less widely documented, but as a promoted side, they will be eager to show their squad depth on the road.
Napoli enter this contest under new management after Allegri took the reins from Antonio Conte, who left the club after a second-place finish that fell short of the Scudetto. According to Telecom Asia Sport, Allegri’s appointment initially drew a negative reaction from the Partenopei’s passionate supporters, making a positive start to the campaign critical.
The core of last season's squad has remained largely intact. Romelu Lukaku and Gutiérrez have departed, while Benoît Badiashile has arrived on loan from Chelsea. The club’s major summer investment went toward triggering purchase clauses for attacking talents Rasmus Hojlund, Alisson, and Lucca, signalling a commitment to maintaining firepower up front. A win on Sunday would go a long way to winning over the home crowd.
Historically, these two clubs have not shared a top-flight rivalry in recent seasons, with Como returning to Serie A as a newly promoted team. The lack of recent league meetings means there is little modern head-to-head data to draw upon, placing the emphasis squarely on current form and tactical preparation. Allegri will be keen to extend Napoli’s dominance over smaller clubs at home, where their superior individual quality across the pitch—from Politano’s creativity to McTominay’s physical presence in midfield—should control the tempo.
The midfield zone shapes up as the decisive battleground. Napoli’s trio of Anguissa, Lobotka, and McTominay must set a high tempo from the first whistle against a Como side likely to defend deep and look for counter-attacking opportunities. McTominay’s late runs into the box add a different dimension to Napoli’s play, while Lobotka’s composure under pressure will be essential for breaking down organised defensive blocks. If Como are to leave with a result, they will need to disrupt that rhythm and seize any transitional moments Napoli concede.
Como travel south with nothing to lose on their return to Serie A football, aiming to frustrate the hosts and take a point on the road. For Napoli, nothing less than three points will settle the early-season nerves under their new coach, with tougher fixtures awaiting beyond matchday two.
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