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AC Milan face Como for the second time in less than five weeks at San Siro on Wednesday night, hoping to do another double over them.
Originally the game was planned to be played in Australia because of the Winter Olympic opening ceremony causing a clash at San Siro. However, that plan was thankfully abandoned, and thus the game was rescheduled but will at least take place in Milan.
Massimiliano Allegri spoke on the eve of the game in Pisa in his pre-match press conference, and he addressed the idea that there is a bit of a rivalry brewing with Cesc Fabregas. While he downplayed it, it is certainly a clash of styles.
Opposition insight on Como
➤ Manager: Cesc Fabregas
➤ Form (all comps): W-W-D-D-L (most recent)
➤ Top scorer (Serie A): Nico Paz and Douvikas – 8
➤ Most assists (Serie A): Paz – 6
➤ Injuries & suspensions: Morata, Goldaniga, Diao.
It is just over one month since Milan last played Como, and prior to that game we recapped the ambitious business that they did in the summer window in our pre-match preview. Milan won that game 3-1, with Rabiot winning a penalty and scoring a brace to inspire a comeback.
That particular meeting in Como sparked a bit of a debate in the media. Como dominated possession and even the chances but a pragmatic Milan struck more at the other end and came away with all three points.
It would be fair to say that Cesc Fabregas congratulated the Rossoneri through heavily gritted teeth after the final whistle, and La Gazzetta dello Sport were among the media outlets to do a long analysis on the battle between style versus results.
Having spent over €100m in the summer mercato, Como invested a bit more in the winter window that closed two weeks ago. Stefan Posch signed from Bologna for €5.5m but was immediately loaned to Mainz, while Adrian Lahdo arrived from Hammarby for just shy of €12m, as per Transfermarkt.
The Lariani currently sit one point outside the final European spot (sixth, the UEFA Conference League position, currently held by Atalanta) but with this being their game in hand they would jump back up even with a point, by virtue of their impressive +20 goal difference.
After playing Milan on January 15, Como bounced back well with a 3-0 win away at Lazio and a 6-0 home victory over Torino, completing an 11-1 aggregate scoreline against the Granata over the two legs. Since then, though, they have drawn with Atalanta (0-0) and lost to Fiorentina (1-2).
📸 @TuttoSport: Probable XI AC Milan v Como! pic.twitter.com/SCI0id3NZs
— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) February 17, 2026
In terms of selection issues for Fabregas, the big news is that Alvaro Morata will miss the game against his former side having been sent off in the defeat to Fiorentina, also for dissent towards the referee. Centre-back Edoardo Goldaniga and winger Assane Diao are out due to injury.
Based on reports, Fabregas is expected to stick with a 4-2-3-1. Butez should be in goal, with Smolcic, Kempf, Ramon and Valle as the back four. Perrone and Da Cunha are tipped to be the double pivot in the midfield.
Moving into the attack, the dangerous Nico Paz will be the attacking midfielder almost certainly. Rodriguez or Vojvoda will flank him on the right, then Baturina on the left, with Douvikas leading the line.
Predicted Como XI (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Carlos, Ramon, Moreno; Perrone, Da Cunha; Rodriguez, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Predicted Pisa bench: Tornqvist, Vigorito, Kempf, Caqueret, Roberto, Lahdo, Addai, Valle, Kuhn, Vojvoda, Van der Brempt.
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