Some matches come with all the subtlety of a freight train. Sassuolo versus Como on a crisp October afternoon at Stadio Enzo Ricci? This one is for the purists—a collision of ambition, unfinished business, and two sides jostling not just for points, but for early-season relevance in Serie A Women. There’s nothing like a mid-table scrap with the scent of opportunity in the air and the grumble of impatience just beneath the surface.

Sassuolo, seventh on the table and managing just a single point from their opening two matches, come into this clash with the faint aftertaste of missed chances. A draw against Juventus was a solid, even admirable, curtain-raiser—a defensive masterclass, if you like your football without the messy joy of goals. But that was followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Parma, with their only goal coming at the 43rd minute. For a team that prides itself on enterprise, averaging 0.5 goals per game over this stretch is the footballing equivalent of asking for another helping of breadsticks while ignoring the main course. If Sassuolo has a plan, it’s been hiding under the napkin.

Meanwhile, Como step onto the pitch with a subtle swagger, sitting one place and two points ahead in a table so tightly wound you can hear the anxiety in the stands. Their campaign has already featured extremes: a late, stinging loss to Lazio, followed by a momentous 1-0 away win over Juventus that has clearly shaken the usual Serie A pecking order. Momentum is a fickle beast, but right now it’s Como’s to harness. Their win at Juventus wasn’t just an upset; it was a statement—maybe even a warning to every side that thinks they’ve already written Como’s season in pencil. Erasers, folks. Keep them handy.

The tension in this matchup isn’t just arithmetic—it’s narrative. Sassuolo, used to living closer to the action, suddenly find themselves a little out of step, just as Como have discovered a taste for giant-slaying. The form book says Como have doubled Sassuolo’s goal output across the last two matches, but the table whispers that nothing is settled. With both sides separated by a single result, this is a test of nerve as much as skill.

The individual battles are as spicy as an Italian lunch rush. Sassuolo need their attacking talisman—whoever emerges from a squad lace with potential but a touch short on execution—to play the role of conductor. That 43rd-minute goal against Parma felt like an overture. What they need is a symphony. If the likes of their creative midfield—the engine room, the pulse, or whatever metaphor you prefer—can click into rhythm, Sassuolo’s tactical rigidity might finally ease into something resembling a threat. Otherwise, their season risks becoming less a slow burn and more a flicker.

Como, meanwhile, are riding high after their shock in Turin. Alisha Lehmann, having marked her return to Italy with an emotional message and an even more emotional performance, will once again be the heartbeat for Como’s front line. Her pace and directness offer a counterweight to Sassuolo’s more measured build-up. The late winner at Juventus—scored in the 84th minute—wasn’t just a statistic; it was a sign of a team that doesn’t mind waiting until the last act to deliver its lines.

Tactically, the tone will be set early. Sassuolo, smarting from those recent results, could opt for a more aggressive press, hoping to choke Como’s progress in midfield before it ever reaches the final third. Como, on the other hand, may well look to sit tight and play on the counter—knowing full well that they’ve recently sucker-punched a heavyweight on its own turf. Sassuolo’s defense will need eyes in the back of their heads; any lapse, any ball watched instead of cleared, risks becoming the next viral highlight.

Then there’s the not-so-small matter of the table. It’s early days, but two points separate these sides—a detail that feels trivial now, but come May, will be anything but. For Sassuolo, a loss at home isn’t just a stumble—it’s a warning siren, a sign that their season could drift from promising to perilous. For Como, a win could propel them from plucky underdogs to genuine disruptors in a league that’s learned to fear upsets.

So, what’s the verdict? Expect a cagey first half, the kind that tests the patience of players and fans alike. Don’t be surprised if Lehmann finds herself with one golden chance, or if Sassuolo finally shake off the scoring yips just in time for the highlight reels. In a game where every mistake could mean another week spent staring up at the wrong end of the table, this is the kind of Saturday that reminds you football’s real drama is written somewhere between frustration and hope.

Blink and you’ll miss it. Overthink it, and you’ll miss the point entirely. Sassuolo and Como both need a win—even if the world isn’t quite watching yet, they’ll play like it is. And if the football gods have a sense of humor, we’ll get late drama, raised eyebrows, and a place in next week’s headlines neither side will soon forget.