Stadio Luigi Ferraris is the venue as Genoa and Como go head-to-head in an exciting opening match of Serie A Matchday 3. Friday’s clash at the Marassi will also serve as Como’s dress rehearsal before their long-awaited Champions League debut next week.
Genoa’s third consecutive Serie A season has started with a whimper rather than a bang. Following a controversial 2-0 home loss to last season’s runners-up Napoli on day one, Daniele De Rossi’s side slumped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Lazio in their first away match of 2026/27.
As a result of being one of the five teams to lose both opening games without scoring, Genoa made a deadline-day signing in the form of Robinho Jr to bolster their attack. The son of the former Brazilian forward Robinho arrived on loan from Santos in the final hours of the transfer window and could make his debut as early as Friday.
Speaking of late transfer activities, Como brought in Moise Kean and Robert Sanchez on loan from Fiorentina and Chelsea, respectively. However, unlike Genoa, Cesc Fabregas’ men have recovered from their slow start to the season. First-half goals from Martin Baturina and Anastasios Douvikas propelled them to a 2-1 win at Napoli on Sunday.
It was a perfect response to a frustrating 1-1 home draw against Udinese in round one, but there’s still room for improvement as they gear up for their curtain-raising Champions League encounter against RB Leipzig.
Genoa
A lack of clinical finishing was Genoa’s undoing against both Napoli and Lazio. De Rossi’s charges mustered a total of 19 shots across those two matches but couldn’t find the back of the net. As such, they risk starting a Serie A season with three consecutive scoring blanks for the first time since 1983/84.
More importantly, Genoa could lose three straight games at the start of a new top-flight season for the first time since 1957/58, a feat De Rossi must be desperate to avoid. Perhaps the impending return to the Marassi could be of help. Yet, that may not necessarily be the case.
The Griffins have lost four of their last five home league outings (W1), including a 2-0 defeat to upcoming rivals Como in April. That loss extended Genoa’s winless streak against this opposition to four league matches (D2, L2), with the Ferraris club scoring an average of 0.5 goals per game in that dreadful sequence.
Como
History beckons for Como, as they could start a new Serie A season on a three-game unbeaten run for only the fifth time. The Lariani last achieved that feat in 1986/87, when they also avoided defeat in their first three away fixtures. There’s little doubt that replicating that achievement would significantly bolster Como’s spirits ahead of their upcoming clash against Leipzig.
Fabregas’ men have been ruthless on the road, scoring at least two goals in ten of their last 16 away matches in all competitions. Delivering action from the get-go, Como tallied seven of their last ten league goals in the first half, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start from the visitors.
After scoring a winning goal against Napoli, Douvikas could become the first Serie A player to find the net in six successive away games since Victor Osimhen in 2023. However, one goal may not be enough for Como to secure all three points, considering they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet across their last three Serie A road trips.
With Brooke Norton-Cuffy joining Hull City on deadline day, Stefano Sabelli is likely to start on the left wing, while Hamed Traore could dislodge Tommaso Baldanzi, who underperformed at the Olimpico last weekend. Robinho Jr is expected to start on the bench, with Lorenzo Colombo tipped to lead the line despite two underwhelming showings at the start of the season.
On the other hand, Jaiden Addai remains on the sidelines for Como, but Fabregas boasts a wealth of attacking potential, nonetheless. After an impressive display against Napoli, Assane Diao is expected to start on the right wing and join forces with Nico Paz, Baturina and Douvikas in the final third. Therefore, Kean could make his first appearance for Lariani off the bench.
Genoa (3-4-2-1): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Vasquez, Ostigard; Ellertsson, Frendrup, Sow, Sabelli; Vitinha, Traore; Colombo.
Como (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Yan Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Como’s impressive win at Napoli should give Fabregas’ men plenty of confidence heading into this encounter. Genoa’s attacking struggles, coupled with their poor recent home form, make it difficult to see the Griffins ending their scoring drought here.
On that basis, the visitors could maintain their recent dominance in this fixture.
Prediction: Como to Win
