Sassuolo vs Como: Serie A Clash on April 17, 2026

MAPEI Stadium – Città del Tricolore hosts a meeting of contrasting moods in Serie A on 17 April 2026, as 11th‑placed Sassuolo welcome high‑flying Como, who sit 5th and chasing European football. With five games left in the regular season, the stakes are clear: Sassuolo need points to secure a calm finish in mid‑table, while Como are defending a Europa League spot and the momentum of an excellent campaign.

Context: Form, table and trajectory

In the league, Sassuolo arrive in a slump. They are 11th with 42 points from 32 matches, goal difference -4 (39 scored, 43 conceded). Their recent form line of “LWDLL” underlines inconsistency and a worrying tilt towards defeats. Across all phases they have 12 wins, 6 draws and 14 losses, and their overall goal averages (1.2 scored, 1.3 conceded per game) point to a side that is competitive but fragile.

Home form is middling: 7 wins, 2 draws and 7 defeats from 16 games at MAPEI Stadium, with 19 goals scored and 22 conceded. They have kept only 3 home clean sheets and failed to score in 6 of those 16 home outings, so there is no fortress factor to rely on.

Como, by contrast, are one of the stories of the season. In the league they are 5th on 58 points with a superb +30 goal difference (56 for, 26 against). The form line “LDWWW” suggests they have responded to a minor wobble with a powerful surge, winning three on the bounce. Across all phases they have lost just 6 of 32 matches, with 16 wins and 10 draws.

Their away record is particularly impressive: 7 wins, 5 draws, 3 defeats from 15 away fixtures, scoring 22 and conceding only 11. They average 1.5 goals scored and just 0.7 conceded away from home, and have kept 7 away clean sheets. This is an away side that travels with structure, control and confidence.

Tactical tendencies and key players

Sassuolo’s season statistics point to a team built around a 4‑3‑3: they have used that shape in 30 of 32 league matches across all phases. It is a system geared towards width and forward passing but also leaves them exposed in defensive transition. Their biggest home win (3‑0) and heaviest home loss (0‑5) in the league underline just how volatile they can be.

Andrea Pinamonti is the key attacking reference. With 8 league goals and 3 assists from 30 appearances, he remains Sassuolo’s primary finisher. He averages 47 shots (26 on target) and is involved as a link player too, with 408 passes and 17 key passes. However, his penalty record this season is imperfect: 0 scored, 1 missed in Serie A. If Sassuolo earn a spot‑kick, the coaching staff may think twice about giving him the responsibility again.

Sassuolo’s disciplinary profile is also relevant tactically. They collect many yellow cards late in games (19 yellows between minutes 76‑90) and have seen red 4 times across all phases, often in the middle and late periods. That volatility can disrupt their structure and could be exploited by a patient opponent like Como.

Como’s tactical identity is clearer and more stable. They have lined up in a 4‑2‑3‑1 in 28 of their 32 league matches, occasionally switching to a back three or 4‑3‑3. The double pivot in front of the defence has underpinned one of Serie A’s best defensive records: just 26 goals conceded in 32 games, with 15 clean sheets across all phases. They are capable of controlling games without the ball and striking efficiently.

In attack, the standout figure is Nicolás Paz. The 21‑year‑old midfielder has been one of the league’s top performers: 11 goals and 6 assists from midfield, with a strong all‑round profile. He has 78 shots (45 on target), 46 key passes and an 82% pass accuracy, plus 110 dribble attempts with 60 successful. He is as much a creator as a scorer, and his ability to drift between the lines will test Sassuolo’s midfield balance.

Ahead of him, Anastasios Douvikas offers penalty‑box presence and depth runs. He also has 11 league goals plus 1 assist from 32 appearances, with 24 shots on target from 41 attempts. His movement between centre‑backs and full‑backs is a natural fit for Como’s 4‑2‑3‑1, especially when Paz and the wide players feed him early. Importantly, Douvikas has a perfect penalty record this season (1 scored, 0 missed), in contrast to Paz, who has missed 2 penalties and scored none; any late spot‑kick is more likely to fall to the Greek forward.

Team news: Sassuolo stretched, Como more stable

Sassuolo are hit hard by absences. Domenico Berardi is suspended due to a red card, stripping them of their most experienced attacking leader and set‑piece threat. In midfield, D. Boloca is out with a muscle injury, while F. Cande, E. Pieragnolo and F. Romagna are all missing with knee injuries, reducing options in defence and at wing‑back/full‑back. J. Doig is suspended for yellow card accumulation, further complicating the left‑side balance.

On top of confirmed absentees, D. Bakola, U. Garcia and A. Vranckx are all listed as questionable with injuries. That combination of suspensions and fitness doubts may force Sassuolo to reshuffle both their back line and midfield, potentially weakening their pressing and ball progression.

Como’s list is far lighter: only J. Addai is ruled out with an Achilles tendon injury. With their core intact, they should be able to field a familiar XI in their preferred 4‑2‑3‑1, maintaining continuity in both structure and roles.

Head‑to‑head: Como’s recent dominance

The recent competitive head‑to‑head strongly favours Como. The data provides two matches in 2025, both won by Como:

• In Serie A (Regular Season – 13) at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como beat Sassuolo 2‑0, leading 1‑0 at half‑time.
• In Coppa Italia (2nd Round) at the same venue, Como ran out 3‑0 winners, 3‑0 up by half‑time.

Across these last two competitive meetings, Como have 2 wins, Sassuolo 0, with 5 goals scored by Como and none conceded. While both were in Como, the pattern is clear: Como have found ways to control and hurt this Sassuolo side, particularly early in games.

Tactical battle on the day

Without Berardi and several defensive options, Sassuolo’s 4‑3‑3 may be forced into a more conservative variant. They are likely to rely heavily on Pinamonti as a central outlet, with wide players tasked with stretching Como’s back four but also tracking back against transitions. The midfield, weakened by Boloca’s absence and doubts over Vranckx, may struggle to contain Paz between the lines.

Como, with their disciplined 4‑2‑3‑1, should look to press selectively rather than constantly, trusting their defensive block that concedes just 0.8 goals per game across all phases. Their double pivot can screen passes into Pinamonti, while full‑backs step out to engage Sassuolo’s wingers. In possession, expect them to overload central zones, with Paz drifting into half‑spaces and Douvikas attacking the channels between centre‑back and full‑back.

Given Sassuolo’s late‑game card profile and Como’s capacity to manage leads, an early Como goal could tilt the game decisively. Sassuolo’s own attacking average at home (1.2 goals per game) suggests they can create, but their defensive record (22 conceded in 16 home matches) makes a clean sheet unlikely against such an efficient opponent.

The verdict

On form, structure and availability, Como travel to Reggio Emilia as justified favourites. They are tighter defensively, more balanced in midfield and carry at least as much attacking threat as Sassuolo, with Paz and Douvikas in strong scoring form.

Sassuolo’s home record and individual quality up front mean they cannot be written off, but the combination of key absences, recent poor form and a negative recent head‑to‑head against Como suggests an uphill task.

A competitive match is likely, but the data points towards Como extending their impressive season with another positive result, and keeping their grip on a Europa League place as the Serie A run‑in intensifies.