Napoli Faces Como in Serie A Match at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Napoli makes a strategic move by starting Noa Lang, Rasmus Hojlund, and Scott McTominay, while Kevin De Bruyne begins the match on the bench. Como has chosen Nico Paz, Martin Baturina, and Tasos Douvikas for their starting lineup.
The match kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17:30 UK time (18:30 CEST).
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The Partenopei started their season with a 2-0 win against Genoa, with De Bruyne’s introduction from the bench playing a crucial role in securing the victory. Despite his impact in the previous match, Coach Max Allegri has opted to keep him on the sidelines again, entrusting the midfield to Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa.
However, Allegri has made two adjustments to the starting lineup: Matias Olivera takes the place of Leonardo Spinazzola, and Noa Lang goes from being on the transfer list to starting instead of Alisson Santos. Hojlund will be supported in attack by Lang, Matteo Politano, and McTominay, while Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci remain out due to long-term injuries.
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Como began their season with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Udinese. As they prepare for their inaugural Champions League campaign, the team feels the pressure associated with their new status as a prominent club. Jayden Addai continues to be unavailable, while Ignace van der Brempt awaits a transfer to Sassuolo.
The summer transfer acquisitions Yan Couto, Trevoh Chalobah, and Bruno Kaiki will start in defense, with Luis Milla positioned in midfield. Nico Paz, Baturina, and Assane Diao will support Douvikas in the forward line, while Mattia Liberali and new signing Samuele Ricci are set to begin the match on the bench.
Como’s last visit to the Stadio Maradona was in May, when they eliminated Napoli from the Coppa Italia quarter-finals via penalties. Additionally, previous matches have seen notable tension between Allegri and Como’s coach, Cesc Fabregas, who exchanged words both on and off the pitch last season.
Napoli vs. Como Line-ups
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay, Politano, Hojlund, Lang
Como: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; Diao, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas
Napoli make a statement starting Noa Lang, Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay, but not Kevin De Bruyne, while Como rely on Nico Paz, Martin Baturina and Tasos Douvikas.
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.30 UK time (18.30 CEST).
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COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: Maximo Perrone of Como 1907 competes for the ball with Alisson Santos of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Partenopei opened their account with a 2-0 victory away to Genoa, although it took De Bruyne coming off the bench to break the deadlock there.
Coach Max Allegri was expected to stick with the same starting XI, which means the Belgian is again watching from the sidelines, as Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa takes the midfield reins.
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However, there are two changes, as Matias Olivera is preferred to Leonardo Spinazzola, but above all Noa Lang goes from the transfer list to the starting XI instead of Alisson Santos.
Hojlund is supported by Lang, Matteo Politano and McTominay, with Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci long-term absentees.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Scott McTominay of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Amir Rrahmani during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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Como started their season with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Udinese, so with their first ever Champions League campaign coming up, are beginning to feel the pressure of big club status.
Jayden Addai is still out of action, while Ignace van der Brempt was left behind pending a transfer to Sassuolo.
Summer signings Yan Couto, Trevoh Chalobah and Bruno Kaiki start in defence, with Luis Milla in midfield.
Nico Paz, Baturina and Assane Diao fan out behind Douvikas, with Mattia Liberali and new buy Samuele Ricci on the bench.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 03: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas issues instructions to his players Anastasios Douvikas and Martin Baturina during the Coppa Italia match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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The last time Como came to the Stadio Maradona was in May, where they knocked Napoli out of the Coppa Italia quarter-final on penalties.
There was also some strong tension between Allegri and Cesc Fabregas when they crossed paths last season, trading insults and criticism both on the touchline and in the press room.
NAPLES, ITALY – JULY 14: New SSC Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri is unveiled at Teatro di San Carlo on July 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Napoli vs. Como line-ups
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay, Politano, Hojlund, Lang
Como: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; Diao, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas
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