UEFA Champions League Preview: Feyenoord vs Como – Team News, Lineups & Prediction
Como head to De Kuip on Wednesday to take on high-flying Feyenoord in an exciting UEFA Champions League showdown. Cesc Fabregas’ side will be out to build on their superb debut at Europe’s top table.
Feyenoord’s league-phase campaign started with a whimper rather than a bang as Barcelona humbled them 5-1 in Catalonia, handing Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s bid to secure a place in the knockouts a heavy blow. However, the Dutch giants have bounced back from that embarrassing defeat with three consecutive Eredivisie victories.
Moreover, they’ve run riot in that sequence, beating Zwolle, Utrecht, and AZ Alkmaar by a combined score of 14-0 to reach the top of the standings. Yet, translating that momentum to the continental stage could be easier said than done in their first-ever meeting with Como, whose form has fallen off a cliff after a promising start to the season.
The Lariani failed to convert a numerical advantage in Saturday’s home clash against Roma and had to settle for a gut-wrenching 0-0 draw at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Now scoreless in back-to-back Serie A matches, Como might see this trip as a welcome distraction after demolishing RB Leipzig in their maiden Champions League fixture.
Fabregas’ side strolled to a 4-1 win at the Sinigaglia and could become only the third Italian team to win their opening two Champions League matches.
Match Preview
Feyenoord
Losing to Barcelona remains the only blemish on an otherwise near-flawless season for Feyenoord. Van Bronckhorst’s charges have only dropped points twice in eight league games so far (W6, D2), averaging an eye-catching 3.37 goals per game. Despite leading the way in the Eredivisie, Feyenoord’s recent European struggles remain too ominous to be overlooked.
Indeed, the 16-time Dutch champions have picked up just three wins from their last 13 UEFA fixtures (D1, L9). They endured a calamitous league-stage campaign last term, suffering six defeats in eight matches (W2), but they can take confidence from the fact that those two triumphs both came in Rotterdam.
De Kuip has been Feyenoord’s safe haven in the Champions League, as they’ve emerged victorious from four of their last five home outings in this competition. They’ve also recently enjoyed facing Serie A visitors here, losing only one of their last eight such assignments (W5, D2, L1).
Worryingly, they’ve claimed just one win from their last seven European encounters against Italian opposition (D3, L3)
Como
Before being held goalless by Roma and Frosinone (D1, L1), Como had won four consecutive games in all competitions, including a pair of high-profile victories over Napoli and Leipzig. Moreover, they scored multiple goals on each occasion, which bodes well for their chances of getting back on track.
Taking three points at De Kuip feels imperative if they’re to qualify for the knockout stages, especially when factoring in three mouth-watering clashes awaiting them further down the line. Fabregas’ men will face Manchester United, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain, underscoring the need to collect maximum points before the schedule gets considerably tougher.
However, Como have blown hot and cold on the road this season. They’ve won two of their four away matches (D1, L1), failing to keep a single clean sheet in that sequence. Particularly vulnerable after the halftime interval, they’ve let in five of their seven goals conceded this term in the second half.
Team News
Van Bronckhorst has to cope with numerous absences. Thomas Beelen (broken leg), Jordan Bos (knee), Bart Nieuwkoop (knee), Reiss Nelson (muscle), Gijs Smal (ankle) and Shaqueel van Persie are all on the sidelines, while there are question marks over Goncalo Borges (knock), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (leg) and Jakub Moder (knee).
Meanwhile, Como could still be without Moise Kean, who suffered a leg injury while on international duty with Italy. Maxence Caqueret, Jayden Addai, Willy Kambwala, and Edoardo Goldaniga are not part of their Champions League squad and won’t be at Fabregas’ disposal on Wednesday.
Feyenoord vs Como Potential Starting Lineups
Feyenoord (4-3-3): Ernst; Read, St Juste, Marmol, Lopez; Zechiel, Vanhoutte, Targhalline; Hadj Moussa, Ferri, Valente.
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Feyenoord vs Como Prediction
Feyenoord’s home fixtures rarely disappoint when it comes to entertainment, and another high-scoring affair could be on the cards. Both sides boast plenty of firepower in attack, leading us to expect an enthralling share of the spoils.
Prediction: Draw
