Como stunned Juventus with a controlled and creative display, winning 2–0 at home. Maximilian Kempf opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Nico Paz sealed the victory late on with a superb solo effort. Juventus failed to convert their few chances, with Israel Schmidt de Azevedo analysing how Como’s wide structure and intelligent pressing shaped the match.
Como started the match with Juventus trying to press high and regain possession quickly. Juventus moved Khéphren Thuram from central midfield into a second striker role alongside Jonathan David, leading the first wave of pressure. Behind them, a line of four formed with Manuel Locatelli and Teun Koopmeiners as central midfielders, while Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição dropped wide as side midfielders. The defensive line pushed up close to the midfield.
Como countered by centralising one of their centre-backs, opening the left side, and using the left-back to create a back three. Their midfielders dropped deep to help with the build-up. Nico Paz shifted from attacking midfield to a second striker role on the right, while Maxence Caqueret pushed higher from the left. Mladen Vojvoda worked as a right winger, and Moreno advanced from full-back to act as a left winger.
In the fourth minute, Como showed their intent. After escaping Juventus’ press, they won a corner. Nico Paz took it short to Da Cunha, who returned the ball for Paz to cross with his left foot. The delivery flew through the box and fell perfectly for Maximilian Kempf, who struck it first time to put Como 1–0 up.
When defending, Como narrowed their back line with a second line of four just ahead, their wide midfielders dropping deep like wing-backs. Nico Paz and Álvaro Morata stayed forward with licence to press and move freely.
Juventus looked to attack by moving their defence to the halfway line. Yildiz and Conceição pushed high as wingers, Andrea Cambiasso tucked inside from left-back into midfield, and Locatelli dropped deeper to help in the build-up. Jonathan David acted as the reference point for crosses and long balls.
In the 18th minute, Juventus created their first real chance through a long-range shot, but it sailed over the bar.
Como pressed in a lozenge shape, with Morata leading, Vojvoda and Caqueret on the sides, and Nico Paz slightly behind them. The defensive line held high, keeping the team compact.
Juventus attempted to escape the press by centralising Daniele Rugani, opening Pierre Kalulu on the right and Lloyd Kelly on the left. Cambiasso stepped into midfield, while Thuram advanced alongside David to start the pressure.
In the 20th minute, Juventus finally broke free and countered. David found Thuram, who slipped the ball to Yildiz. He cut inside and tried a curling shot with his right foot, but it drifted wide.
At 27 minutes, Yildiz drove down the left, dribbling past two defenders before cutting the ball back to Koopmeiners, whose first-time effort was blocked by a sliding Como defender. Two minutes later, Como countered as Nico Paz played Morata through. The forward’s placed shot was saved by Michele Di Gregorio after an early misjudged jump.
In the 32nd minute, Paz played a long pass to Vojvoda, who beat Thuram in the duel. The ball fell to Caqueret, who sent a brilliant through ball back to Paz, but Kelly recovered just in time with a last-ditch tackle.
Two minutes later, Como broke again. Paz carried the ball through the centre and released Moreno down the left. The winger’s shot lacked power and was saved by Di Gregorio. Vojvoda recovered the rebound but his cross floated straight to the goalkeeper.
At 36 minutes, Locatelli played a long pass over the top to Koopmeiners, who squared for David to finish — but the flag went up for offside.
Juventus continued to push, with Kalulu and Thuram combining at 38 minutes, but the shot was deflected wide. Two minutes later, David’s diagonal pass found Conceição, who cut inside and shot narrowly wide.
When Como advanced, they built a line of three defenders with the left-back stepping up. Ahead of them, four midfielders stretched the pitch — Moreno and Vojvoda providing width, with Paz and Caqueret supporting Morata up front.
Defensively, Juventus formed two banks of four, with Locatelli sitting between the lines and David leading the press.
In the 56th minute, Paz’s pass found Vojvoda, whose long-range effort was saved by Di Gregorio. The rebound fell to Caqueret, but his follow-up went wide.
Six minutes later, Koopmeiners hit a free-kick just over the bar. At 64 minutes, a defensive mix-up left Koopmeiners unmarked near goal, but his header lacked power and Butez gathered easily.
Juventus increased the pressure, and in the 70th minute, Kalulu’s cross deflected awkwardly off a defender. Butez reacted sharply to tip it over.
In the 78th minute, Perrone launched a long ball over Juventus’ midfield to Nico Paz. The young Argentine took it in stride, beat Cambiasso with a sharp cut inside, and curled a stunning shot into the far corner. Como led 2–0.
In the 89th minute, Vojvoda crossed for Douvikas, who rose well but headed over the bar.
Como were the better side throughout. Juventus created few dangerous moments and failed to capitalise on their limited chances. Como controlled possession smartly, inviting pressure and striking effectively on the counter. Caqueret and Vojvoda dominated the flanks, while Nico Paz was outstanding once again — the star of the match and a key figure in Como’s strong start to the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Israel Schmidt de Azevedo
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