A new Serie A season begins for Juventus under new management as they host newly-promoted Como on Monday evening. With significant changes over the summer, the Thiago Motta era officially starts, but Como will be keen to disrupt the occasion.
Juventus, after briefly appearing as contenders for the Scudetto, had a disappointing second half of the last season and finished a distant third, trailing 23 points behind champions Inter Milan. Juventus will face Como on the Serie A opening matchday for the first time since 1988 when they won 3-0. A repeat performance would mark a strong start to Motta’s tenure. Como, returning to Serie A after a 21-year absence, is on a 21-game winless streak against Juventus in the league.
While Max Allegri achieved his goal of returning Juventus to the Champions League, his pragmatic approach and a notable meltdown during the Coppa Italia final—despite winning it—led to the end of his second tenure with the club.
Clash Between Head Coaches
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Under Motta, Bologna kept 18 clean sheets at home last season and conceded just 23 goals over 35 games at Stadio Dall’Ara. Juventus has bolstered their squad with new additions like Michele Di Gregorio, Khephren Thuram, and Douglas Luiz. Pre-season saw them suffer losses to Nurnberg and Atletico Madrid, and a draw with Brest.
Cesc Fabregas, promoted from assistant manager, will lead Como’s return to the top flight after replacing Osian Roberts, who moved to a development role. With their new wealthy ownership, Como aims to make a significant impact, bolstered by the addition of World Cup winner Raphael Varane. Pre-season results included wins over Cagliari and Las Palmas, a defeat to Al-Hilal, and a goalless draw with Wolfsburg. However, Como faltered in their first competitive match of the 2024-25 season, drawing 1-1 with Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia before being eliminated on penalties.
Team News
Federico Chiesa has been sidelined and is not participating in first-team training, while Wojciech Szczesny has been released and Moise Kean has moved to Fiorentina. New signings Douglas Luiz and Michele Di Gregorio are expected to start in a revamped lineup, joined by Khephren Thuram. There are also rumors that Nico Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners may be heading to Turin. Meanwhile, upfront, Dusan Vlahovic will start; he scored the most Serie A goals in 2024 (10) and earned his team the highest number of points during that period (14).
On the other hand, Andrea Belotti has recently struggled to make an impact at Roma and Fiorentina but has found a new home in Como. Summer signing Pepe Reina is set to start in goal, but former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is out for at least three weeks due to a knee injury.
Juventus possible starting lineup: Di Gregorio; Danilo, Gatti, Bremer, Cambiaso; Thuram; Weah, Locatelli, Luiz, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Como possible starting lineup: Reina; Cassandro, Goldaniga, Dossena, Moreno; Braunoder, Mazzitelli; Strefezza, Cutrone, Da Cunha; Belotti
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