Napoli Vs Como [1-2] Serie A 2026/2027: How Cesc Fàbregas Tactics Defeated Massimiliano Allegri - Tactical Analysis

Como travelled to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona looking for their first win of the season after drawing with Udinese in their opening game.

Napoli, meanwhile, were aiming to get their second victory in a row in the league after beating Genoa in their first match.

Como's win, in the end, extended Cesc Fàbregas’ unbeaten run in Serie A to seven games.

All three goals were scored in the first half.

Martin Baturina opened the scoring for Como before Rasmus Højlund equalised, showing his quality and danger in small spaces.

Just four minutes later, Como took the lead again.

Baturina recovered the ball high up the pitch, and Anastasios Douvikas finished the attack to make it 2-1.

Baturina stood out as one of the key players of the game, with a goal and an assist.

In this Napoli vs Como tactical analysis, we look at how Cesc Fàbregas positioned his players to break Massimiliano Allegri’s compact block, while also organising the team to defend effectively against Napoli.

Napoli Vs Como Lineups & Formations

Napoli Lineup Vs Como

Allegri set his team up in a 4-3-3 formation with Alex Meret in goal behind a back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Rafa Marín and Mathías Olivera, from right to left.

In midfield, he used Frank Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay as central midfielders, with Matteo Politano and Noa Lang as wingers, and Højlund as the striker.

The Italian coach made five changes to his team during the match.

In the 56th minute, three players were withdrawn, as McTominay, Olivera and Lang made way for Kevin De Bruyne, Leonardo Spinazzola and Alisson Santos.

Then, 10 minutes before the end of the game, another two changes followed, with Højlund and Anguissa coming off for Lorenzo Lucca and David Neres.

Como Lineup Vs Napoli

Fàbregas set Como up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jean Butez in goal behind a back four of Yan Couto, Jacobo Ramón, Trevoh Chalobah and Álex Valle, from right to left.

Luis Milla and Lucas Da Cunha started in midfield behind Nico Paz as the No. 10, with Baturina and Assane Diao on the wings and Douvikas up front.

The Spanish coach also made five substitutions during the match.

In the 58th minute, Maxence Caqueret and Ivan Smolčić came on for Baturina and Couto.

Another two changes followed in the 65th minute, with Diao and Da Cunha coming off for Marc Kempf and Máximo Perrone.

Lastly, in the 81st minute, he changed Paz for Kaiki.

Fàbregas gave opportunities to some new signings in this match.

Chabolah, who joined from Chelsea, Milla from Getafe, and Yan Couto from Borussia Dortmund all started the game.

Brazilian Kaiki also made his debut after coming off the bench, following his move from Cruzeiro on loan.

Napoli Defending Structure

Napoli changed from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 when defending, with McTominay joining Højlund in the first line of the press.

They kept this structure across the pitch.

From Four To Three: Como Build-Up Structure

In the low build-up, Como started with a back four but higher on the pitch; midfielder Milla dropped between the centre-backs to form a back three.

Da Cunha was the only Como player positioned between Napoli’s first and second lines of pressure, while No.10 Paz and left winger Baturina operated between Napoli’s midfield and defensive lines.

Baturina’s movement into the central channel was especially important, as it allowed him to arrive in the penalty area and score Como’s first goal from a cutback by right winger Diao.