Today the advance at 15. Como, first “matchball“ salvation against Empoli hungry for points

The match against Empoli in the Sinigaglia cauldron (15pm) could be a matchball for the salvation of the Lariani, who in case of victory would leave the Tuscans 10 points behind in third-last place. The team, which returned to a compact ranks from Marbella, will have to do without the two stars Nico Paz and Dele Alli (both suspended) and Fabregas himself, who after the expulsion against Milan, for protests, will be replaced by his second Guindos. Three players were hit by gastrointestinal viruses, during the preparation in Spain and have not trained for a few days, but yesterday they were available to the coach, for the finishing touches. The ten days in Marbella have allowed Fabregas to further cement the group and to better integrate the latest arrivals from the winter market into the team games. Dossena will also be missing: for him the championship is over after the operation on the cruciate ligament. Goldaniga and Kempf will take the field as central defenders. In attack without Paz, they will play with Strefezza moved to the center behind Cutrone. "Patrick in these days has shown he has desire and hunger - says Fabregas - he will start against Empoli, a match that we must win after losing in the first leg with our worst performance. It is a decisive match for salvation, then I will also be able to think about next year's team, to improve I am following a striker, two defenders and a midfielder".

A sentence also to deny the constant rumors that the Spanish coach is on other benches in Serie A. "Now the games against teams that have to save themselves are coming - continues Fabregas - but our mentality must remain the same as when we faced the big teams. They will play differently, probably very closed in defense, we will always have to stay high and take advantage of every opportunity. Against Roma and Milan they were games that we could have won, we were lacking in the final phase and in these days we have worked a lot in this aspect. It is not a physical issue, but only a mentality, now I also have a very large squad and in the changes there is no drop in performance, every player can be a starter, everyone will have the opportunity to show that they are worthy of Como. Douvikas and Fadera will play less in this period, but they are training intensely and will have their opportunities. Sergi Roberto has fully recovered and against Empoli he could play from the first minute. Perhaps Perrone, who has just returned from the Argentine national team, will be out, while I will ask Diao, who played with Senegal, to make an effort, he could make the difference against Empoli". Meanwhile, the club has renewed the contract of Sporting Director Carlo Alberto Ludi, until 2028, a sign of esteem for the great work done to date.

Probable formation (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Goldaniga, Kempf, Valle; Sergi Roberto, Caqueret; Diao, Strefezza, Da Cunha; Cutrone. Coach: Fabregas