Serie A, the 13th matchday takes shape: early kickoffs, lineups, and Como’s confirmation at the top

The thirteenth matchday of the 2025-2026 Serie A season is already in full swing with the early kickoff between Como and Sassuolo, which ended 2-0 in favor of the Lombard side. Como, led by Cesc Fabregas, continues its positive streak, extending its unbeaten run to eleven matches and securing 24 points—the same as Inter and Bologna—while climbing into the Champions League spots. A performance that confirms this season’s surprise and sets the stage for a weekend of crucial clashes in both the title race and the battle for survival.

Como keeps soaring: the story of the early kickoff against Sassuolo

At the Sinigaglia Stadium, it was an evening marked by great cohesion and offensive efficiency for Como. As early as the 14th minute, Greek striker Anastasios Douvikas opened the scoring with a decisive touch in the box, netting his third goal of the season. Sassuolo struggled to break down the home defense, where the understanding among the back three stood out. The second goal came shortly after the restart, with a brilliant piece of play from Nico Paz setting up Moreno for his first Serie A goal. In the closing minutes, Berardi’s injury exit further complicated Sassuolo’s comeback attempt, leaving them at 16 points—far from the top but comfortably mid-table.

The other matches and the weekend’s big clashes

The weekend continues with Parma vs. Udinese, Genoa vs. Verona, Juventus vs. Cagliari, and Milan vs. Lazio as the standout fixtures. The lineups feature several key returns and absences: Milan will be without Christian Pulisic due to muscle fatigue, while Lazio welcomes back Castellanos. Juventus, buoyed by their Champions League win over Bodo Glimt, will rely on Vlahovic, while Cagliari, struggling, will field Esposito and Borrelli up front. The match between Roma and Napoli, featuring the tactical duel between Gasperini and Conte on the bench, completes a high-intensity picture where every point will be precious in this tightly contested championship.

Standings and the title race: balance and tension

With Como, Inter, and Bologna all on 24 points and Roma and Milan close behind, Serie A offers an incredibly tight race at the top. This situation fuels tension and expectations, with every match capable of reshaping the hierarchy. Meanwhile, teams like Genoa, Verona, and Sampdoria face an increasingly fierce relegation battle, where wins like Como’s shift the balance.

Outlook and expectations for Matchday 13

The lineups will see some certainties but also tactical doubts and selection dilemmas, such as the choice between Douvikas and Morata in attack for Como or the decision between Dybala and Baldanzi as a false nine for Roma. The challenge for some top teams will include managing players returning from European duties, balancing energy and competitiveness. The high-profile clash between top coaches, the desire for redemption from struggling teams, and the surprise package Como make Serie A an unmissable spectacle at this stage of the season.