Friday night in Serie A brings a fascinating reunion on the touchline and the pitch as Sassuolo host Como. The spotlight shines on former Chelsea midfield maestros Cesc Fàbregas and Nemanja Matić, who now find themselves on opposite sides. Fàbregas, the young manager, will be orchestrating his Como side from the dugout, while the experienced Matić anchors the Sassuolo midfield in what promises to be a tactical battle.
This crucial Week 33 opener kicks off at 18:30 CET at the Mapei Stadium. With both teams missing key personnel—Sassuolo are without the suspended Domenico Berardi and several injured players, while Como miss Sergi Roberto—squad depth and strategy will be paramount.
The stakes are incredibly high for the visitors. A victory for Fàbregas's Como would see them leapfrog into a coveted top-four spot, at least temporarily, putting serious pressure on Juventus in the race for Champions League football. For Sassuolo, fighting to climb the table, disrupting those plans and securing a positive result at home is the immediate objective.
For fans tuning in, the match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. As for the expected battles on the field, here are the probable line-ups shaping this intriguing contest:
Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Garcia; Koné, Matić, Thorstvedt; Volpato, Pinamonti, Laurienté.
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolčić, Ramón, Diego Carlos, Alberto Moreno; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Nico Paz, Baturina; Diao.