Lecce vs. Como: survival meets European ambitions

Lecce and Como go head-to-head at the Via del Mare on Matchday 17 of the Serie A season, following last week’s break due to their opponents’ commitments in the EA SPORTS FC Supercup. The hosts are looking to build on their positive momentum, having alternated a defeat with a win in recent outings, most recently beating Pisa two weeks ago, and will be aiming for another three points to further improve their league position. Como, meanwhile, are eager to get back on track. After an impressive run of eleven consecutive positive results, Cesc Fabregas’ side have suffered back-to-back defeats against Inter and Roma and now look to restart their push towards European qualification.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

In Lecce, the official meetings between the two teams stand at 15: 7 victories for the Salentini (the last being 1-0 in the Coppa Italia 2023/24), 4 draws (the last being 1-1 in Serie B 2021/22), and 4 victories for the Lariani (the last being 0-3 in Serie A last year).

DID YOU KNOW?

Como, after losing only once in the first 13 matchdays of Serie A 2025/26, come from two consecutive defeats and haven't scored for 217 minutes; their last goal was scored by Alberto Moreno in the 53rd minute of Como-Sassuolo 2-0 on November 28th. In the last 6 matchdays, the Lariani have only scored against the Emilian Neroverdi and away at Torino, drawing a blank in the remaining 4 matches.

COACHES and PLAYERS

Third official meeting between Eusebio Di Francesco and Cesc Fabregas: in the 2 previous encounters, relating to the double clash between Venezia and Como last season, two draws. Wladimiro Falcone and Lassana Coulibaly are Lecce's most-used players in 2025: 36 appearances each out of 37 official matches played in the calendar year. The top scorer is Nikola Krstovic, with 8 goals.

Wladimiro Falcone is about to collect his 130th consecutive Serie A appearance in a Lecce shirt without missing even a minute.

Jean Butez is Como's most-used player in 2025: 36 appearances out of 37 official matches played in the calendar year. There are 3 top scorers, with 8 goals each: Anastasios Douvikas, Assane Diao, Nico Paz.

DISCIPLINE 

Suspended: none 

Cautioned: Ramon, Diego Carlos (Como)

REFEREE

MARCHETTI (ROSSI C. – VECCHI) IV: MASSIMI, VAR: CAMPLONE, AVAR: DI PAOLO

UPCOMING MATCHES

Juventus-Lecce (Saturday, January 3, 18.00 CET)

Como-Udinese (Saturday, January 3, 12.30 CET)

(Photo Getty Images)