Desperate Como need a victory on Monday to cover Serie A relegation fight to meet mid-ranked Udinese in Stadio Sinigaglia, Italy.
Although the Lariani were powerless to snatch a late victory in the previous round – and were left with nothing – their opponents are coming into the match on an unbeaten run of four games.
Active from the beginning of this month’s transfer window, Como immediately started shopping during last season’s serie B runners-up aim high as they enter the Italian top flight league.
On Tuesday evening, two new boys struck gold: Assane Diao – with help from Maxence Caqueret – put the Lariani in front against local rivals AC Milan; a lead that they failed to sustain.
Losing twice in a row led to score a 2-1 home loss and in terms of goals conceded in last 15 minutes the Lombardy side takes a league umbrella with 11 goals conceded with seven of those being scored in stoppage time-also a league record.
Cesc Fabregas has been able to bring some form of spirit in his men though, Como have only lost consecutive league games once since gaining promotion, so they will be expected to recover on Monday.
Sitting only a point above the relegation zone the Biancoblu are currently part of a large group of clubs fighting to avoid relegation and gaining valuable points on their home ground might very well decide their fate.
In nine matches at the Sinigaglia so far, Atalanta has three wins, three draws and three defeats – better home record compared to many of their counterparts.
In the reverse fixture in September, Udinese narrowly beat Como 1-0 with Brenner as the goalscoring hero; the Friulani have since claimed victory in each of their last three Serie A meetings with Como.
With Kosta Runjaic and company heading for Lombardy on a four-match winning streak, they may be hopeful of continuing that sequence this time around after recently reversing a concerning decline in form.
They were a touch unlucky not to win their last game in Udine, where they held high-flying Atalanta BC goalless. Veteran striker Alexis Sanchez hit the post twice in a short period of time, and La Dea goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi made several incredible saves.
In keeping with a long-standing pattern, Udinese has drawn their past three games, recording 0-0 draws in the last two after defeating Fiorentina shortly before Christmas. Only Juventus (27) have drawn more games than their rival Bianconeri (24), since the season began.
They are in 10th position, just outside the top half of Serie A, and they haven't lost a league game away from home since November, so they shouldn't be too worried about going to Como.
Nico Paz, Como's main creative, will be ready for at least a bench spot after recovering from an ankle injury, providing Cesc Fabregas with a lot of choices.
Maxence Caqueret is a serious candidate for midfield selection, and newcomer Assane Diao scored in his debut and might start again. Patrick Cutrone, the top scorer with six goals, will likely hold off Andrea Belotti's battle up front.
Lorenzo Lucca, an Italy international, has scored seven Serie A goals for Udinese this season, including five headers, while Cutrone spearheads the home team's assault. Alexis Sanchez may fall to the bench as he should regain his position following his suspension.
Oumar Solet, Jaka Bijol, and Thomas Kristensen are all part of the visitors' defense after helping his new team retain two clean sheets in as many games.
