Como approach Roma with Cesc Fabregas still inclined to place confidence in Tasos Douvikas at centre-forward, a choice that has shaped the early weeks of their campaign. The Greek striker has started every league match but one, missing only the Parma fixture, and he has established an early advantage in the contest for the shirt.
Moise Kean arrived after the season had already begun, at a point when Douvikas had found his rhythm in front of goal. Douvikas has scored twice in the league and once in the Champions League, while Kean is yet to open his account. For now, the sense is that the proper competition between the two forwards has not fully developed, and Roma may not be the match in which it changes.
Kean returned early from international duty after a physical issue, although the problem has since been resolved. Even so, Como may prefer to give him additional time rather than immediately ask him to lead the line, particularly with another demanding appointment close behind. Fabregas’s side travel to Feyenoord for a Champions League match on Wednesday, making the management of his attacking options relevant beyond Sunday afternoon.
Full-back choices matter against Roma
The more immediate uncertainty may concern the defensive flanks. Roma’s wide areas are regarded as one of their principal strengths, while Como have shown greater vulnerability when defending outside channels. Fabregas has alternatives on both sides: Couto and Smolcic are competing on the right, with the Croatian appearing to have a stronger case for this match, while Valle and Kaiki are in contention on the left.
Those decisions carry weight for a Como team seeking to recover the defensive standards that defined last season. They finished the previous championship as the division’s least-conceding side, narrowly ahead of Roma, but have not yet managed a clean sheet in the current campaign. Against a direct rival with threats from the wings, stopping that sequence has become as important as deciding who starts up front.
