As Sassuolo prepares to host Como 1907 in Serie A on April 17, 2026, the fixture carries different significance for both sides.
For Como, the match represents another important opportunity in their push for Champions League qualification. Cesc Fàbregas' side entered the fixture fifth in Serie A, just two points behind Juventus in fourth, leaving little room for dropped points in a tight race for European football.
Sassuolo, meanwhile, have different ambitions. A strong finish to the season could help them secure a comfortable position in the top half of the table, and playing at home gives them an opportunity to disrupt Como's Champions League challenge.
With Como having enjoyed the better results in their recent meetings, the question ahead of the match is whether the visitors can impose themselves again or whether Sassuolo can use home advantage to change the pattern.
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Recent Sassuolo vs Como Meetings
Como have had the upper hand in the two meetings between the teams during the 2025/26 season.
They first defeated Sassuolo 3-0 in the Coppa Italia in September 2025, with Jesús Rodríguez scoring twice and Anastasios Douvikas also finding the net.
The sides met again in Serie A in November, and Como produced another convincing performance, winning 2-0 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
Those two matches give Como a clear psychological advantage heading into this meeting. Across the two games, they scored five goals without conceding.
However, both of those victories came at Como's home ground. This time, Sassuolo will have the benefit of playing in front of their own supporters at the Mapei Stadium, which adds a different challenge for the visitors.
Why This Match Matters for Como
Como's impressive season has put them firmly in contention for European qualification.
Heading into this fixture, they sat fifth with 58 points, only two behind Juventus in the final Champions League qualification position. With the Serie A season approaching its final stages, every point has become increasingly important.
A victory against Sassuolo would therefore do more than extend Como's strong recent record in this fixture. It would keep pressure on Juventus and strengthen their hopes of securing Champions League football.
Como were coming into the match after a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan, despite having taken a two-goal lead during the game. That result showed both sides of their game: their ability to create chances against one of Italy's strongest teams, but also the importance of maintaining control when under sustained pressure.
That makes the Sassuolo match particularly important. Como need to respond quickly rather than allowing one difficult result to interrupt their European push.
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Sassuolo's Home Advantage Could Make the Difference
Recent head-to-head results may favour Como, but Sassuolo should not be dismissed. Playing at the Mapei Stadium gives Sassuolo an opportunity to approach the game differently from their previous meetings with Como.
At home, they can afford to be patient, protect central areas and look for opportunities to attack when Como commit players forward. Rather than trying to match Como's possession game for long periods, Sassuolo could benefit from disrupting their rhythm and forcing the visitors into uncomfortable situations.
There is also less pressure on Sassuolo compared with a Como side fighting for a Champions League position. That could allow the hosts to play with greater freedom, particularly if they can keep the game level during the early stages.
How Como Could Approach the Game
Como are likely to be at their most dangerous when they can control possession and dictate the tempo. Their proactive approach gives them the ability to stretch opponents, move the ball quickly between areas and apply sustained pressure around the opposition penalty area.
Against Sassuolo, the key will be turning that territorial control into clear scoring opportunities. If Como move the ball quickly enough to pull Sassuolo's defensive shape apart, they could recreate some of the problems that helped them win the previous two meetings.
However, dominating possession alone will not guarantee victory. Como must also be careful when attacks break down. Committing too many players forward could give Sassuolo opportunities to counter into the spaces left behind.
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How Sassuolo Could Hurt Como
Sassuolo's best route into the game may be to prevent Como from settling into a comfortable rhythm. That means staying compact, competing aggressively in midfield and slowing the game when Como begin building momentum.
Rather than allowing the visitors to dictate the tempo, Sassuolo could look to:
close spaces through central midfield;
disrupt Como's passing combinations;
limit quick transitions around their defensive third;
remain patient without the ball;
attack the spaces Como leave behind when committing players forward.
The longer Sassuolo can prevent Como from taking control, the more important home advantage could become. An early Sassuolo goal would also significantly change the complexion of the match by forcing Como to take even more attacking risks.
Where Sassuolo vs Como Could Be Decided
The biggest tactical battle could be over who controls the tempo. Como will want an active game. Their ideal match involves plenty of possession, quick ball circulation and sustained pressure.
Sassuolo would benefit from making the contest more uncomfortable. If the hosts can break up play, slow Como's passing sequences and prevent them from progressing cleanly through midfield, they can reduce the visitors' attacking influence.
But if Como establish control early and force Sassuolo deeper towards their own penalty area, the visitors should have opportunities to create chances. Efficiency in front of goal could ultimately separate the teams.
Who Are the Favourites: Sassuolo or Como?
Based on the teams' respective league positions, Como's pursuit of Champions League football and their two victories over Sassuolo earlier in the season, Como should enter the match as slight favourites.
They have already shown that they can cause Sassuolo serious problems and have more at stake in terms of the Serie A standings. However, this does not look like a straightforward fixture.
Both previous Como victories came at home, while this match takes place at the Mapei Stadium. Sassuolo's home advantage and ability to disrupt the tempo could make this a much closer contest than the previous meetings.
Como appear to have the stronger case on paper, but they will need to control the game without leaving themselves vulnerable when possession changes hands. For Sassuolo, patience and defensive discipline could provide a path to an upset.
For Como, the objective is clear: impose their style, respond strongly after the defeat to Inter and collect three valuable points in the race for Champions League qualification.