Reflecting on the journey since August 19, 2024, we can see how much has transpired in a short span.

Juventus kicked off the 2024-25 season in spectacular fashion under their new manager, claiming a decisive victory against Como, one of the newly promoted clubs in Serie A, at the iconic Allianz Stadium. This match marked the first competitive encounter for a restructured Juventus squad, which had seen a significant overhaul during the summer transfer window. With numerous player transactions still in play before the window closed, the atmosphere surrounding this fresh Juventus lineup was particularly charged.

Back then, approximately five and a half months ago, the morale surrounding the team was exceptionally positive—some might even describe it as “very good” following a solid performance against Como.

However, as we find ourselves in February, the mood is markedly different from that exhilarating opening weekend of the season, marking the start of the Motta era. Nevertheless, Juventus is striving to turn things around and regain momentum, and guess who’s back on the fixture list?

Indeed, it’s none other than Cesc Fabregas and Como.

This time, Juventus will journey to one of Italy’s most picturesque stadiums, a venue that sparks a mix of excitement and nostalgia. Fans hope for a resurgence in form as they face a team entrenched in a relegation battle. Despite Como’s considerable investments over the past two transfer windows since their Serie A return, they find themselves languishing near the same position as Juventus’ last opponent, Empoli, who occupied 16th place when they faced Juventus at the Allianz Stadium last weekend. The team sitting just above Empoli in the standings is the very one Juventus will confront on Friday night.

Despite all the talent that Fabregas has brought in to enhance his team’s fortunes, Como remains firmly in the relegation conversation, hovering just a few points above the drop zone.

In an ironic twist, Juventus and Como have recorded the same number of wins in the new year, an unexpected statistic for a club aspiring for a top-four finish when compared to a team on the brink of relegation.

The reality is that since Juventus secured a victory against Como to launch the 2024-25 season, and then followed it up with a similar 3-0 win over Hellas Verona, the Motta-led squad has only managed to achieve back-to-back victories on a single occasion in the months that have followed.

Juventus managed to clinch the first part of a potential consecutive win streak with their recent comeback victory over Empoli, which helped to quell the incessant chatter surrounding Mattia De Sciglio for at least a couple of days. Was the performance against Empoli extraordinary, especially considering MDS was afforded the time and space to score within minutes of the match’s start? Overall, it probably fell short of that mark. However, a win is a win, and that’s something this Juventus side has struggled to achieve, often settling for frustrating draws.

Now, the challenge is whether they can secure back-to-back victories for only the third time this season, or will they revert to their pattern of making incremental progress followed by setbacks. Como isn’t your average relegation contender; it’s rare to see clubs in such precarious positions invest €100 million in a single season to enhance their squad. Yet, they’ve managed just three wins in Serie A since early October, marking a protracted period of disappointing results.

Let’s hope Juventus can capitalize on this opportunity against a team that, despite its struggles, has managed to garner 15 of its 22 points at home this season. And perhaps we should avoid discussing Juventus’ last away performance, as that’s a memory most would prefer to forget.

Latest Updates on Team News and Injuries for Juventus

• In his pre-match press conference, Thiago Motta confirmed the expected absences of both Andrea Cambiaso and Pierre Kalulu due to injuries for the upcoming trip to Como.
• Additionally, the team will be without three long-term injured players: Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, and Arek Milik, who has reportedly returned to Poland for further treatment, with no clear return date in sight.
• All four signings from January—Randal Kolo Muani, Renato Veiga, Lloyd Kelly, and Alberto Costa—have been included in the squad for the trip to Como.
• Motta mentioned that January signing Costa “understood” his omission from Juventus’ updated Champions League roster and accepted the decision with composure after being informed earlier this week. Despite being with the club longer than any of the other new arrivals, Costa has yet to make his debut.
• Although Dusan Vlahovic has not started in the last two Serie A matches, Motta praised the Serbian’s “impeccable” attitude, stating: “Even when he wasn’t at his best, he remained available and willing to contribute.”
• With Nicolo Fagioli now at Fiorentina, there’s currently no Juventus player available for the match against Como who is one yellow card away from suspension.

Key Player to Monitor: Juventus’ Rising Star

In the last two encounters against Serie A opponents, Juventus has seen a January signing step into the starting lineup and make his club debut under intriguing circumstances.

While it’s unlikely we’ll witness a similar debut this Friday night, one of those previous debutants is expected to be more settled and ready to perform when the match against Como kicks off.

Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images

Renato Veiga is anticipated to start alongside Federico Gatti for the second consecutive match—indicating that Motta may not feel the need to rush any additional winter signings into the lineup despite a persistent depth issue. It’s crucial for Veiga to develop a rapport with Gatti in the center of defense, especially considering the importance of their positions.

Building chemistry between defenders is vital, particularly given the high stakes involved in their roles.

Veiga’s initial appearance for Juventus was understandably shaky; he appeared nervous and occasionally out of sync with Gatti, leading to a somewhat uncertain performance overall. However, as the game progressed, Veiga found his footing and delivered a commendable performance. Given the instability in Juventus’ defense with players frequently out of position, establishing some continuity will be essential moving forward.

Regardless of whether Veiga is only in Turin for a brief period, Motta is counting on him to demonstrate why he was a sought-after player by Chelsea in recent months. He is undeniably a talented young prospect, and consistent playing time, especially after his turbulent tenure in London, should yield positive results for Juventus.

It’s reassuring to have viable options in the center of defense once more. While these options may not boast marquee names, if the Veiga who shone in the second half against Empoli makes an appearance against Como, it could signal a positive shift.

Essential Match Details for Juventus vs. Como

When: Friday, February 7, 2025.

Where: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy.

Kickoff Time: 8:45 PM local time (Italy), 7:45 PM in the UK, 2:45 PM Eastern Time, and 11:45 AM Pacific Time.

Comprehensive Viewing Information for the Match

Television Broadcast: Sky Sport 251, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 4K (Italy).

Online Streaming Options: Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network (US); fuboTV (Canada); OneFootball.com (UK); DAZN Italia, Sky Go Italia (Italy).

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