The picturesque Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is set to host a captivating Serie A clash as Como welcomes AC Milan on Tuesday evening. This match presents a fascinating contrast between a team fighting for survival and another aiming to reclaim their place among Italy’s elite.

Como, under the guidance of former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, have shown remarkable resilience in recent weeks. The newly-promoted side has lost only once in their last six matches, a run that has lifted them to 16th in the table. Their most recent outing, a spirited 1-1 draw against title-contenders Lazio in Rome, exemplifies their growing confidence and adaptability to top-flight football.

AC Milan, on the other hand, find themselves in a period of transition. The appointment of Sergio Conceicao as head coach has brought immediate success in the form of the Supercoppa Italiana, secured with victories over Juventus and Inter Milan. However, their league form remains inconsistent, as evidenced by a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to struggling Cagliari in their last Serie A fixture. Currently sitting 8th in the table, the Rossoneri are in desperate need of a win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.

This match promises an intriguing tactical duel between Fabregas’ pragmatic approach and Conceicao’s more expansive style. Como have shown themselves to be a well-organized unit, capable of frustrating more illustrious opponents. Their recent performances suggest they will not be overawed by Milan’s reputation.

Milan, still adapting to Conceicao’s methods, will need to find a balance between their attacking instincts and defensive solidity. The Rossoneri’s recent tendency to start games slowly could be exploited by a Como side growing in confidence.

The midfield battle will be crucial, with Milan’s Ismael Bennacer likely to play a pivotal role in dictating the tempo. Como’s ability to disrupt Milan’s rhythm in this area could be key to their chances of securing a positive result.

In attack, all eyes will be on Cutrone for Como. The striker’s knowledge of Milan’s defensive setup could prove invaluable. For Milan, the form of Rafael Leao on the left flank could be decisive in unlocking a stubborn Como defence.

Team News

Como face significant challenges in midfield, with the talented Nico Paz sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained against Lazio. The absence of Sergi Roberto and Maximo Perrone further depletes their options in the centre of the park. However, the return of Edoardo Goldaniga from suspension provides a boost to their defensive lineup. Patrick Cutrone, a former Milan youth product, leads the line for Como and will be eager to prove a point against his former club.

Milan continue to grapple with injury concerns, particularly in midfield and attack. Samuel Chukwueze and Ruben Loftus-Cheek remain unavailable, while long-term absentee Alessandro Florenzi is still on the road to recovery. The return of Emerson Royal from suspension offers Conceicao more options in defense. With a congested fixture list on the horizon, including crucial Champions League ties, the Milan coach may opt for some rotation in his starting eleven.

Expected Starting XIs

Como: Butez; Van der Brempt, Goldaniga, Kempf, Moreno; Mazzitelli, Engelhardt; Strefezza, Da Cunha, Fadera; Cutrone

Milan: Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez; Fofana, Bennacer; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Morata

Match Prediction

This match represents a critical juncture for both teams. Como, buoyed by their recent form, will see this as an opportunity to claim a major scalp and further distance themselves from the relegation zone. Milan, meanwhile, cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to mount a serious challenge for Champions League qualification.

Prediction: Como 1-2 Milan

Aiming to advance to the Coupe de France round of 16 for the second time in four years, Bastia welcome Ligue 1 side Nice to Stade Armand-Cesari in Tuesday night’s round of 32 contest.

Although the Ligue 2 outfit have been in fine goalscoring form in 2025, their top-flight opponents have similarly been potent in the attacking third, pointing to a mouthwatering cup tie in Corsica.

Their only failure to progress to that stage was last season, when the Blues were stunned 4-1 by Lyon La Duchere in the third round of the competition.

Having already surpassed that result, the 1981 champions aim to outscore their Ligue 1 opponents in Tuesday’s encounter and are keen to extend their three-match undefeated run against the Eaglets (one win) to four matches.

Despite sitting a middling eighth in Ligue 2, Benoit Tavenot‘s side have shown their goalscoring prowess since the back end of 2024, scoring eight goals across two games to close out last year before finding the back of the net six times in 2025, losing 3-2 at Grenoble on January 3 and hitting four without reply to dispatch Ajaccio eight days later.

The Lions of Furiani head into Tuesday’s match having kept three clean sheets in the competition, beating Freyming 4-0 in their tournament opener, eliminating Nancy 2-0 and dismantling RC Saint Joseph in December, but Nice will present significantly tougher opposition.

The Eaglets enter their round of 32 fixture in decent form, even if Franck Haise‘s side have needed to outscore opponents in 2025.

Nice are one of four Ligue 1 sides to retain a 100% record since the turn of the year — jointly with Marseille, Strasbourg and Angers — although Le Gym have conceded two goals apiece in their 3-2 victory over Rennes and 4-2 triumph at Reims.

That soft underbelly undoubtedly gives opponents reason for optimism regardless of the score, and Bastia will be hoping that the visiting club’s creaky rearguard does not anomalously become watertight on Tuesday.

Given that the Eaglets needed penalties against fifth-tier Corte to progress through the previous round, the travelling support will be wary of coming unstuck in Corsica.

The 2022 finalists’ run to that title match against Nantes remains an abnormality in their Coupe de France performances, as evidenced by last season’s quarter-final run being the only time apart from 2021-22 in which Nice have experienced a deep run in the domestic cup since making the semis in 2011.

Haise’s imperfect side are flawed defensively, possibly filling fans with dread, but exciting neutral supporters who fancy cup entertainment in Bastia.

Tavenot’s men sustained no injuries in their recent 4-0 Ligue 2 success over Ajaccio, giving Les Blues a healthy squad for the visit of Nice.

Having contributed to a glut of goals en route to Tuesday’s round of 32, Amine Boutrah (three goals), Lamine Cisse (two), Lisandru Tramoni (two) and Felix Tomi (two) aim to produce strong showings to stun their top-flight opponents.

While Nice came through Saturday’s win at Reims unscathed, the away side are without Jeremie Boga (thigh), Moise Bombito (groin), Morgan Sanson (ankle), Victor Orakpo (hernia) and Terem Moffi (knee)

Ali Abdi could start at left-back after making a goalscoring return against Reims following almost two months out; however, Yael Nandjou is suspended due to his 39th-minute dismissal in the previous round.

Evann Guessand (eight goals) and Gaetan Laborde (six) sit atop the Eaglets’ scoring charts, and the forwards aim to be productive for Haise’s men on Tuesday.

Bastia possible starting lineup:
Fabri; Meynadier, Guidi, Roncaglia, Ariss; Ducrocq, Janneh; Tramoni, Vincent, Boutrah; Cisse

Nice possible starting lineup:
Dupe; Clauss, Ndayishimiye, Dante, Bard; Boudaoui, Ndombele; Guessand, Bouanani, Diop; Laborde

We say: Bastia 1-3 Nice

Although a cup tie, Bastia and Nice’s recent matches have produced goals, and Tuesday’s should be no different.

Regardless, the Eaglets’ superior quality should see them end their three-match winless run against the Ligue 2 side and advance to the last 16.