Como 0-0 Napoli: Serie A 2025-26 match report

The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia played host to a tactical stalemate on Saturday afternoon as Como and Napoli shared the points in a scoreless draw. In a match defined by defensive discipline and a lack of clinical edge in the final third, both Antonio Conte and Cesc Fabregas saw their respective game plans neutralized by organized opposition.

A tactical stalemate

Antonio Conte opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, looking to control the midfield battle and provide width through his wing-backs. Conversely, Cesc Fabregas deployed Como in a 4-2-3-1, prioritizing a compact defensive block that aimed to frustrate Napoli’s creative outlets. The first half was characterized by a cautious approach from both sides, with neither team willing to commit excessive numbers forward at the risk of leaving space for a counter-attack.

Napoli maintained a higher share of possession, attempting to probe the Como defensive line, but Fabregas’s side remained disciplined. The home team’s defensive structure, anchored by the back four, successfully limited the space available to Napoli’s attacking midfielders. While the visitors looked to transition quickly, Como’s defensive transitions were equally efficient, effectively nullifying the threat before it reached the penalty area. By the interval, the lack of clear-cut opportunities reflected a match that was being contested primarily in the middle third of the pitch.

The decisive moment

The second half saw a slight increase in intensity, though the breakthrough remained elusive. Conte looked to his bench on the hour mark, introducing Kevin De Bruyne in place of A. Zambo Anguissa in an attempt to inject more creativity and precision into the final pass. The change signaled a shift in Napoli’s approach, as they began to press higher up the field with more urgency.

Como’s resistance remained firm, though the physical demands of the match began to show as the clock ticked past the 70-minute mark. Jacobo Ramón Naveros was cautioned in the 69th minute for a tactical foul, highlighting the desperation of the hosts to maintain their clean sheet.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, both managers utilized their full quota of substitutions to manage fatigue and adjust tactical shapes. Fabregas made a triple change in the 80th minute, bringing on T. Douvikas, M. Baturina, and Álex Valle to freshen up the attack and defensive flanks. Simultaneously, Conte introduced Amir Rrahmani to bolster the back line. Despite the fresh legs, the final exchanges lacked the necessary composure to break the deadlock. A late yellow card for Napoli’s M. Politano in the 89th minute served as a final indicator of the frustration felt by the visitors, who were unable to find a way through a resolute Como defense.

Looking ahead

The result leaves Napoli needing to find more consistency in their attacking output if they are to maintain their position in the upper echelons of the Serie A table. For Como, the point represents a hard-earned result against a top-tier opponent, providing a platform of defensive stability as they navigate the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.