Como vs Sassuolo: Fàbregas Books an Interrail Ticket for Europe 🚄🇪🇺
Tonight marks the opening match of Serie A Matchday 13 as Como host Sassuolo at the Stadio Sinigaglia, aiming for their second consecutive win and a boost towards a new, ambitious target: securing a ticket to Europe for next season.
In this article from Totalsportnews.com you’ll find everything you need to know about Como vs Sassuolo, including details on each team’s form, past meetings, predicted line-ups, kick-off time, and the officials appointed for the match.
Como unbeaten for three months 🛡️
Como come into this match riding an impressive run of form. The Larians produced a stunning 5-1 win away at Torino, with a brace from Jayden Addai and goals from Jacobo Ramón, Nico Paz, and Martin Baturina. Sassuolo, meanwhile, salvaged a dramatic last-second 2-2 draw at home against Pisa thanks to a late strike from Kristian Thorstvedt, after Nemanja Mátic had scored a brilliant volley in the first half.
Como’s unbeaten streak continues to grow. Their last defeat dates back to 30 August, when they fell 1-0 at the Dall’Ara against Bologna. Since then, it has been a mix of draws and wins — although never two consecutive victories.
Sassuolo, for their part, have regained momentum on the road. They are unbeaten in their last four away matches, collecting three wins and one draw. Their most recent trip saw them conquer Atalanta’s ground with a 3-0 victory thanks to a Domenico Berardi brace and a goal from Andrea Pinamonti. Here are Sassuolo’s last four away results:
Verona – Sassuolo 0-1
Lecce – Sassuolo 0-0
Cagliari – Sassuolo 1-2
Atalanta – Sassuolo 0-3
Fourth place for two nights 🌙🌙
Fàbregas’s side sit sixth in the table with 21 points after the first 12 rounds (5 wins, 6 draws and just one defeat). They are three points behind Inter and Bologna, who are currently on track to qualify for the Champions League and Europa League respectively. If the season ended today, Como would already have secured a ticket to next year’s Conference League.
Como also boast the second-best defence in the league, having conceded only 7 goals — one less than Gasperini’s Roma. With a win, Como would climb up to fourth place, drawing level with Inter. Inter will play their “nerazzurri derby” away to Pisa on Sunday 30 November, while Bologna host Cremonese in the Monday 1 December late fixture.
Sassuolo, meanwhile, are ninth placed, three points behind Juventus and one behind Lazio. In the away-games-only standings, Sassuolo are fourth, trailing only Roma, Milan and Bologna.
A win tonight would move Sassuolo level with Juventus on 20 points.
Como vs Sassuolo: A First-Ever Meeting in Serie A ⚔️
The only previous encounter between the two sides took place in the Coppa Italia on 24 September. Como won that match 3-0 at home, with all three goals scored in the first half: Jesús Rodriguez made it 1-0 after just two minutes, Anastasios Douvikas doubled the lead in the 24th minute, and Rodriguez struck again in the 41st to seal the win.
On that occasion, Sassuolo fielded many reserve players across all areas of the pitch in order to rest their starters ahead of the next Serie A fixture – which they eventually won 3-1 against Udinese.
Fàbregas vs Grosso: A Clash Between World Champions 🏆🆚🏆
The matchup between Como and Sassuolo also brings an intriguing duel on the touchline, featuring two young managers with World Cup-winning pedigree. Sassuolo’s 48-year-old coach Fabio Grosso lifted the 2006 World Cup in Germany with Marcello Lippi’s Italy. In the years that followed, however, it was Cesc Fàbregas — former maestro of the Spanish midfield and now 38-year-old Como manager — who went on to collect the game’s biggest international trophies, winning Euro 2008 in Vienna, the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, and Euro 2012 in Kyiv with Spain.
Between Grosso’s triumph in Berlin and Fàbregas’s subsequent era of dominance, the two current coaches met twice on the pitch. Their first encounter came in a friendly in March 2008, where Spain beat Italy 1-0 in Elche. Fàbregas played until the 68th minute, while Grosso completed the full match.
The second meeting was far more dramatic: the Euro 2008 quarter-final in Vienna. Fàbregas came on in the 60th minute, and Grosso again played the entire match, including extra time. In the penalty shootout, Grosso scored Italy’s first spot-kick, while Fàbregas converted Spain’s final and decisive penalty, securing a 4-2 win for La Roja after a match that ended 0-0 both in regular and extra time.
From Grosso’s triumph in 2006 to Fàbregas’s back-to-back titles through 2012, the two managers — now facing each other in Serie A — have collectively left an indelible mark on world football.
Young Goals Driving Como Forward ⭐⚽
Fàbregas has successfully shaped Como in his own image, assembling a squad full of young, dynamic players capable of producing high-tempo, attacking football. Como play an attractive and proactive style, keeping possession for long stretches and creating a significant number of chances.
The centre-forwards, however, have not yet delivered what the Spanish manager expected. Álvaro Morata is still without a goal (0 goals in 610 minutes), while Anastasios Douvikas has scored 2 in 12 appearances (2 goals in 480 minutes).
Most of the team’s goals have come from two young stars: the club’s top scorer, 21-year-old Nico Paz — a possible future Real Madrid star – leads the way with 5 goals, followed by 20-year-old Jayden Addai with 3.
In his pre-match press conference, Como coach Cesc Fàbregas praised Fabio Grosso and Sassuolo’s style of play. Speaking about his expectations for his own players, he explained that he prefers a team willing to take risks rather than one that plays with the handbrake on: “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But when I have to lose, I want my team to lose playing our football, with our mentality. You can have six players in the opposition box, press high and then concede a counterattack and lose — but it’s better to take risks and grow rather not to grow.”
In response to a question about which teams he looks to for inspiration, the Catalan coach said:
“Arsenal are definitely a reference point, and so are Bayern Munich. Yesterday I enjoyed watching their match on TV with some popcorn – or ‘palomitas’, as we say in Spanish. They play with great personality, they defend well, their timing is excellent, and they attack the space brilliantly. These are the two teams I study the most, and they’re the ones that make me think about the kind of team I want to build and the type of football I want to create.”
For the full interview, you can watch Fàbregas’s pre-match press conference on Lariosport’s official YouTube channel:
Sassuolo’s First-Choice Front Three Are Ready 🔱
If Nico Paz is Como’s creative heartbeat, then Domenico Berardi is unquestionably the symbol and captain of Sassuolo. He will lead the Neroverdi’s charge on Lake Como tonight, supported by centre-forward Andrea Pinamonti and the third member of the attacking trio, Armand Laurienté.
In midfield, everything revolves around former Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matić, who will be flanked by Ismaël Koné and Norwegian international Kristian Thorstvedt.
At the back, Fabio Grosso can rely on a group of young but dependable defenders. Arijanet Murić will start in goal, protected by the two centre-backs — former Venezia defender Idzes and Bosnian talent Tarik Muharemović. On the flanks, Woyo Coulibaly (or Sebastian Walukiewicz) should start on the right, with Scottish full-back Josh Doig on the left. Sassuolo have conceded 6 goals in 6 away matches this season.
In his pre-match press conference, Fabio Grosso praised Como’s manager: “We’re facing a team with great quality, a team with very clear ideas. It’s only their second year in Serie A, yet they’ve already accelerated their growth. They’ve made significant investments but also know exactly what they want and have the courage to pursue it. As for us, we need to be ready to play many different matches within the same game, trying to emerge with courage, quality and determination.”
Here you can find the link to Fabio Grosso’s pre-match press conference on Sassuolo’s official YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/MydlfEaWS3o?si=_pCQMoz_PtV55P4z
Jayden Addai: Italy’s New Fantasy-Football Obsession 📊⚽
Jayden Addai — the young Dutch winger with pure talent and a brilliant future — was born on 26 August 2005 in Purmerend, Netherlands, and has Ghanaian origins. Standing around 1.77m tall and naturally left-footed, Addai is an explosive, rapid and technically gifted wide forward.
He joined AZ Alkmaar’s youth academy in 2016 and climbed through every level of their system, quickly rising through the ranks thanks to consistently impressive performances at youth level. After several seasons with the club’s second team — where he delivered strong numbers in both goals and overall consistency — he made his first-team debut in the Eredivisie in November 2023.
But 2025 marked a major turning point in his career: his move to Italy, where Como boldly invested in him, beating the competition and securing his signature for around €14 million on a five-year deal.
His start to life in Serie A has been more than encouraging. In his first months with Como, Addai has already shown flashes of brilliance, unpredictability, and an eye for goal. Despite his young age, the Dutchman — already capped at youth level for the Netherlands (Under-19 and Under-21) — has stood out for his tight dribbling, blistering acceleration, and ability in one-on-one situations.
From a technical perspective, Addai excels in several key areas: beating his man with pace, controlling the ball in tight spaces, dribbling with confidence, and shooting effectively from mid-range. His physical profile, combined with these qualities, makes him a modern winger capable of attacking defences aggressively and creating numerical superiority on the flanks. Thanks to his left foot and versatility, he can operate on both wings — cutting inside from the right or stretching the play from the left — giving his coach multiple tactical solutions.
For Como fans, Addai represents far more than a long-term investment: his explosiveness and desire to make an impact are already lighting things up, and the club sees him as a key pillar in their medium-to-long-term project.
Jayden Addai embodies the ideal mix of technique, potential, hunger to emerge and a readiness to make an immediate impact. If he continues at this level, he will undoubtedly help Como reach their targets for the season with greater speed and confidence.
In Italy, he has already become a favourite among fantasy-football managers, boasting a high rating that could grow even further in the coming Matchdays: 7.43
Here you can visit his complete Football Manager profile:
https://www.fantacalcio.it/serie-a/squadre/como/addai/712a7
Thorstvedt: the Hammer of the Neroverdi ⚡🔨💚🖤
Kristian Thorstvedt — born in Stavanger on 13 March 1999 — is now one of the most intriguing young midfielders in Serie A. Standing 189 cm tall with an imposing physical presence, he combines technical quality, vision and athletic ability, making him the ideal prototype of the modern box-to-box midfielder.
Raised in the youth systems of Viking FK and Stabæk Fotball, Thorstvedt broke through with Viking in Norway, earning the 2018 Young Player of the Season award in the 1. divisjon thanks to convincing performances and his immediate impact on the pitch. In 2020, he made the international leap by joining KRC Genk in Belgium, where he refined his game, improved his attacking output and proved he could play both as a mezzala and as an attacking midfielder.
On 12 July 2022 he completed his move to Italy, signing for U.S. Sassuolo Calcio — a transfer that excited many observers about his potential. Sassuolo invested heavily in him, giving him a central role in their long-term project. Since then, Thorstvedt has demonstrated impressive versatility in Serie A: his physicality, constant forward runs, solid technique and elegant left foot make him dangerous both in build-up play and in the final third.
But Thorstvedt is far more than power and running. He is also a tactically intelligent player with excellent vision — capable of dictating tempo, picking out teammates with long passes, timing his bursts into the box, and offering multiple attacking solutions. His role is never fixed: depending on what the coach needs, he can operate as a hard-working mezzala or become the creative engine responsible for orchestrating play.
His journey with the Norwegian national team also highlights his quality. Since 2020, he has been part of the senior setup, earning significant international experience.
Not everything has been smooth, though: in January 2025 he faced a major setback with an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery, temporarily halting his progression.
Yet Kristian Thorstvedt remains a midfielder with enormous potential. At Sassuolo, he has all the tools to develop into one of the most complete and reliable midfielders in European football. If he maintains his ambition and determination, his name could genuinely become synonymous with quality and leadership in the years ahead.
Pre-Match Information 📋
📅 Match date: 28 November 2025
🕒 Kick-off: 20:45 CET
🏟️ Venue: Stadio Comunale Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como (Italy)
🧑⚖️ Referee: Matteo Marchetti (Section: Ostia Lido)
Assistant Referees: Vittorio Di Gioia (Nola), Claudio Barone (Rome)
Fourth Official: Davide Di Marco (Ciampino)
VAR: Davide Ghersini (Genoa)
AVAR: Rosario Abisso (Palermo)
Where to watch ⚽📺
– Italy: DAZN, Sky Sport, Nowtv.it
– USA: CBS, DAZN, FOX
– Latin America: ESPN, Disney +
– South Korea: SPOTV
– Rest of the world: Check local listings
Probable line-ups 👥
Como
(4-2-3-1)
1 Jean Butez
27 Stefan Posch
14 Jacobo Ramón
34 Diego Carlos
3 Álex Valle
33 Lucas Da Cunha
23 Máximo Perrone
42 Jayden Addai
10 Nico Paz
17 Jesús Rodriguez
11 Anastasios Douvikas
Team manager
Cesc Fàbregas
Reserves 🔁
Goalkeepers: 22 Mauro Vigorito, 44 Nikola Cavlina
Defenders: 2 Marc Oliver Kempf, 18 Alberto Moreno, 31 Mërgim Vojvoda, 77 Ignace Van der Brempt
Midfielders: 6 Maxence Caqueret, 20 Martin Baturina
Strikers: 7 Álvaro Morata,19 Nicolas Kühn, 99 Alberto Cerri
Suspended players
🚫
28 Ivan Smolcic (RB)
Not available players ❌
5 Edoardo Goldaniga (CD), 4 Alberto Dossena (CD), 8 Sergi Roberto (CM), 38 Assane Diao (LW)
Sassuolo
(4-3-3)
43 Arijanet Murić
25 Woyo Coulibaly
21 Jay Idzes
80 Tarik Muharemović
3 Josh Doig
90 Ismaël Koné
18 Nemanja Matić
42 Kristian Thorstvedt
10 Domenico Berardi
99 Andrea Pinamonti
45 Armand Laurienté
Team manager
Fabio Grosso
Reserves 🔁
Goalkeepers: 12 Giacomo Satalino, 16 Gioele Zacchi
Defenders: 5 Fali Candé, 6 Sebastian Walukiewicz
Midfielders: 35 Lipani, 44 Edoardo Iannoni, 7 Cristian Volpato, 77 Nicholas Pierini
Strikers: 20 Alieu Fadera, 9 Walid Cheddira
Not available players ❌
11 Daniel Boloca (DM), 13 Stefano Turati (GK), 14 Laurs Skjellerup (ST), 15 Edoardo Pieragnolo (LB), 17 Yeferson Paz (RB), 19 Filippo Romagna (DC), 24 Luca Moro (ST), 26 Casa Odenthal (CD), 40 Aster Vranckx (CM)
Get Your Popcorn Ready 🍿⚽
If Cesc Fàbregas enjoyed some popcorn while watching the Champions League clash between Arsenal and Bayern Munich, we’ll be doing the same tonight for Como vs Sassuolo. This match marks Como’s final home game of the 2025 calendar year, and we’re certain the players will be eager to put on a show for the fans and end an already remarkable year on a high note.
And we’re just as certain that Fàbregas will be enjoying plenty more popcorn on his journeys across Europe. 🚆
It’s Palomitas’ football, baby