Hellas Verona vs Como: Serie A Relegation Battle

Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi stages a meeting of teams at opposite ends of the Serie A table on 10 May 2026, as 19th‑placed Hellas Verona host sixth‑placed Como. The stakes could hardly be more contrasting: Verona are fighting to avoid relegation to Serie B, while Como are defending a position that currently promises a route into the Conference League qualification.

With only three wins from 35 league matches and just 20 points, Verona arrive in dire trouble. Their goal difference of -33 (24 scored, 57 conceded) underlines a season of struggle. Como, by contrast, have been one of the revelations of the campaign: 17 wins, 11 draws and only 7 defeats, 59 goals scored and just 28 conceded, for a healthy +31 goal difference and 62 points.

Tactical landscape

Verona’s season-long identity is clear from the data: a defence‑first side that has rarely managed to impose itself. They have used a back three almost exclusively, with 3‑5‑2 their main shape (25 matches), occasionally shifting to 3‑4‑2‑1 or 3‑5‑1‑1. The idea is to crowd central areas, protect the box and rely on wing‑backs and two forwards for transitions.

The execution has been problematic. In the league across all phases, Verona average only 0.7 goals per game (24 in 35), and they have failed to score in 18 matches. At home the picture is even more concerning: just 1 win from 17 at Bentegodi, with 12 goals scored and 25 conceded. Their “biggest” home win is only 3-1, while their heaviest home defeat is 0-3, underlining how quickly things can unravel when they fall behind.

Defensively, Verona concede 1.6 goals per match overall, 1.5 at home. Six clean sheets (three home, three away) show they can occasionally shut opponents down, but their form line – “DDLLL” in the league – suggests a side currently unable to turn resilience into results. Discipline is another concern: yellow cards are spread across all phases of the game, and they have already seen four red cards this season, with dismissals particularly frequent late on (two in the 76-90 range). In a high‑pressure relegation battle, that volatility could be costly.

Como arrive with a far more proactive and balanced profile. Their default 4‑2‑3‑1 (31 matches) provides structure in possession and stability without the ball. They average 1.7 goals per game and concede only 0.8; away from home, they still score 1.5 per match (25 in 17) and allow just 13 goals, an excellent defensive record on the road.

Clean sheets are a major part of Como’s story: 17 in 35 league games, including 8 away. They have failed to score only 9 times all season, and their “biggest” away win is 1-5, showing their capacity to be ruthless when they find a rhythm. Their worst away defeat, 4-0, is a reminder that they can be exposed, but those days have been rare.

In possession, Como lean heavily on the creativity and end product of Nicolás Paz. The 21‑year‑old midfielder has 12 goals and 6 assists in 34 appearances, with a strong overall rating (7.32), 51 key passes and 86 shots (48 on target). He is both a volume shooter and a playmaker, capable of operating between the lines and driving at a back three. His dribbling (122 attempts, 66 successful) and duel volume (426, with 222 won) suggest he is central to progressing the ball and breaking defensive blocks.

Ahead of him, Anastasios Douvikas adds penalty‑box threat. The forward has also scored 12 league goals, with 1 assist, from 35 appearances. He is efficient in front of goal (26 shots on target from 43 attempts) and offers movement across the line that can trouble Verona’s three centre‑backs. Importantly, Douvikas has scored 1 penalty and missed none, while Paz has missed 2 penalties and scored none; that split will likely shape spot‑kick responsibilities.

Como’s midfield double pivot and back four, protected by their structure, underpin their defensive numbers. With an average of 0.8 goals conceded per game and only 13 away goals against, they are well equipped to cope with a Verona attack that struggles to create volume and quality chances.

Head‑to‑head snapshot

The recent competitive history between the sides in Serie A favours Como. The last three league meetings (all in 2024 and 2025) read:

• On 29 October 2025 at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como 3-1 Hellas Verona – Como home win.
• On 18 May 2025 at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Hellas Verona 1-1 Como – draw.
• On 29 September 2024 at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como 3-2 Hellas Verona – Como home win.

Over these last three competitive encounters, Como have 2 wins, Verona none, and there has been 1 draw. Both matches in Como ended 3-1 and 3-2 in favour of the hosts, while Verona’s lone home fixture in this sequence finished level at 1-1.

Key battles and game script

Given Verona’s lack of attacking output, the first goal will be pivotal. When they fall behind, their structure is not built to chase games, and their low scoring rate suggests limited comeback potential. Como’s defensive solidity and capacity to control tempo through Paz and the double pivot make them strong favourites to dictate the rhythm.

Verona’s best hope lies in compressing the central channels in their 3‑5‑2, denying Paz space between the lines and forcing Como wide, where crosses can be contested by three centre‑backs. They must also reduce the number of transitions, as Como’s best attacking moments often come when they can break with numbers and find Douvikas early.

Set‑pieces and discipline could be decisive. Verona’s card profile, including multiple late red cards, contrasts with Como’s relatively cleaner record (three red cards, all in the 76‑90 range, but no reds earlier in games). In a match where Verona may need to play on the edge, avoiding another dismissal is critical.

From Como’s perspective, patience will be key. Verona’s 18 blanks in front of goal suggest that a single well‑constructed move or a set‑piece could be enough, especially given Como’s capacity to protect leads with their defensive structure and ball retention.

The verdict

On form, data and tactical coherence, Como travel to Verona as clear favourites. They boast a top‑six position, a +31 goal difference, one of the best defences in the league and two double‑digit scorers in Nicolás Paz and Anastasios Douvikas. Verona, by contrast, are 19th, with only three wins all season, a toothless attack and a fragile defensive record.

Verona’s home crowd at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi and the desperation of a relegation fight can narrow the gap, but the numbers point strongly towards Como taking at least a point – and more likely all three – as they push to cement European qualification.