Juventus entered Matchday 26 seeking redemption following a bruising 5-2 defeat to Galatasaray, but Luciano Spalletti’s tactical setup appeared structurally fatigued from the onset. Deploying a 3-4-2-1 intended to dominate central zones, the Bianconeri instead found themselves suffocated by Como’s aggressive mid-block. The tactical 'how' of the opening goal in the 11th minute was a microcosm of Juve's current malaise. Weston McKennie, operating in a congested pivot role, surrendered possession under a coordinated two-man trigger from Maximo Perrone and Maxence Caqueret. The subsequent transition was lightning-fast; Anastasios Douvikas isolated Lloyd Kelly before squaring for Mërgim Vojvoda. The Kosovar’s low, left-footed drive beat a poorly positioned Michele Di Gregorio at the near post, marking the 13th time this season Juventus has conceded from the opposition's first shot on target.
Fàbregas’s Diamond vs. Spalletti’s Width Issues
While Juventus maintained 54% possession, it was largely 'U-shaped' circulation that failed to penetrate Como’s compact 4-2-3-1. Cesc Fàbregas instructed his side to concede the wide areas to Andrea Cambiaso, knowing that without the injured Dusan Vlahovic, Juve lacked the aerial presence to convert crosses. This forced Kenan Yildiz and Fabio Miretti to drop deeper, leaving winter signing Lois Openda isolated against the physical Marc-Oliver Kempf. Como’s tactical discipline was reflected in their 14 clean sheets this season, as they successfully restricted Juventus to a meager 0.28 xG in a toothless first half. The visitors’ threat on the counter was nearly doubled before the break when Lucas da Cunha’s fierce volley rattled the crossbar, highlighting the systemic failure in Juventus’s rest-defense.
The Counter-Attacking Clincher and Final Collapse
The second half saw Spalletti introduce Francisco Conceição and Jonathan David to inject verticality, but the tactical shift only served to leave the Bianconeri more exposed to Como’s predatory transitions. In the 61st minute, the game was effectively killed off following a poorly executed Juventus corner—a recurring tactical flaw that has plagued their recent run. Maximo Perrone carried the ball 40 yards unchecked before feeding Da Cunha, whose low cross was met by the late-running Maxence Caqueret. The Frenchman’s clinical tap-in made it 0-2, triggering a wave of whistles from the Allianz Stadium faithful. Despite a late surge that saw Teun Koopmeiners strike the post with a free-kick, Juventus finished the match with a passing accuracy of just 78% in the final third, illustrative of a team lacking the creative cohesion to break down a well-drilled low block.
Metrics of a Crisis and Future Outlook
The statistical fallout for Juventus is damning. This defeat marks their third consecutive loss across all competitions and snaps a 21-game home unbeaten streak that stretched back to March 2025. Como’s efficiency was the defining metric; they recorded 2 goals from 4 shots on target, ruthlessly exploiting a Juventus defense that looked shorn of confidence without the leadership of Gleison Bremer. For Fàbregas, this victory—Como's first away win over Juve since 1951—vaults his side to within a point of their illustrious opponents in the race for Champions League qualification. As Spalletti prepares for the return leg against Galatasaray, he faces a squad that won just 36% of their defensive duels today and appears tactically paralyzed by the weight of expectations. The 0-2 scoreline was not a fluke; it was the result of a modern, flexible tactical system outthinking a rigid, stagnating giant.