Como will play the first European match in their history when RB Leipzig visit Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Thursday evening.

Cesc Fàbregas’s side have started the Serie A season with seven points from three away matches, including a victory over Napoli. Leipzig bring considerably more European experience, but arrive in Italy after a poor performance against Werder Bremen.

Como return home after an impressive start

Como qualified for the Champions League by finishing fourth in Serie A last season, completing a remarkable rise from the lower divisions of Italian football.

They have carried that momentum into the new campaign. Como opened with a 1-1 draw against Udinese before beating Napoli 2-1 and Genoa 4-1. Seven points and seven goals represent an excellent return, from three consecutive away matches.

Thursday’s game will therefore be Como’s first home fixture of the season, as well as the biggest European night in the club’s history.

The victory over Napoli showed that Como can compete with established opposition. Fàbregas’s team were also convincing against Genoa, scoring four times and creating problems through their movement behind the striker.

Several attacking players have started well. Assane Diao and Martin Baturina have both recorded two goals and one assist, while Anastasios Douvikas has also scored twice. Nico Paz remains one of the team’s main creative players and should be given space to operate behind the striker.

Como have also added Moise Kean to their squad. The Italian forward made his first appearance against Genoa and gives Fàbregas another proven option in attack.

The hosts normally play in a 4-2-3-1 formation and are comfortable taking control of possession. They also press aggressively when they lose the ball, something that could cause problems for a Leipzig side that struggled to play through pressure in its most recent match.

Leipzig searching for a response after defeat in Bremen

RB Leipzig are back in the Champions League after missing last season’s competition. A third-place Bundesliga finish secured their return, although the club still decided to make a manager change during the summer.

Martín Demichelis is now in charge and has experienced a mixed start. Leipzig won their opening cup tie and began the Bundesliga season with an impressive 3-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach, but that was followed by a 3-1 defeat away to Werder Bremen.

The result was not Leipzig’s only concern. They controlled 71 percent of the possession but struggled to create clear chances against a compact defence. Bremen were more direct and repeatedly found space behind Leipzig’s back line.

That performance was far from ideal preparation for a trip to face a confident Como side.

Leipzig still possess enough individual quality to make this a difficult match. Christopher Nkunku has returned to the club on loan and could play an important role in attack. During his first spell in Leipzig, he produced 70 goals and 57 assists across 174 appearances.

Antonio Nusa offers pace and creativity from wide positions, while Ridle Baku has already scored twice this season. David Raum and Willi Orbán provide experience in defence, but the visitors have some injury concerns.

Rocco Reitz is unavailable, while Castello Lukeba and Rômulo have only recently returned to training. Brajan Gruda is fit enough to travel after recovering from an ankle problem.

Verdict

Leipzig have much more Champions League experience, but their name and European history should not distract from the teams’ current performances.

Como have collected seven points from three away matches, scored seven goals and already beaten Napoli. They now return to their own stadium for the first Champions League match in the club’s history.

Fàbregas’s side have several attacking players in form and should be capable of testing a Leipzig defence that looked vulnerable in Bremen. The visitors also struggled to create chances despite dominating possession in that match.

Leipzig have enough quality to respond, particularly with Nkunku and Nusa in attack, but Como look more settled and arrive with greater confidence. With home advantage added to their strong start, the Italian side are backed to make their Champions League debut with a victory.

Tip

Como to win