Mattia Liberali Doubt for Sassuolo Clash After Champions League Win

Mattia Liberali’s breakthrough moment in Serie A may have to pause almost as soon as it started.

The 19-year-old Italian, fresh from scoring his first top-flight goal in Como’s impressive 3-1 win away to Fiorentina, is unlikely to feature in Saturday’s home game against Sassuolo after feeling a muscle problem in midweek.

A Champions League Win with a Hidden Cost

On Tuesday night, Como swept past Manchester United 4-1 in the Champions League, a statement victory for a club still adjusting to life among Europe’s elite. Liberali, though, never left the bench.

That absence was not a tactical snub.

According to Gazzetta, the former Milan and Catanzaro prospect reported muscle discomfort during the warm-up. The technical staff chose not to risk him, keeping him out of the game as a precaution despite the scale of the occasion.

The decision protected the player. It may now deprive Como of one of their brightest attacking options in Serie A.

Tests Pending, Outlook Bleak for Sassuolo

Liberali is set to undergo medical tests today to assess the extent of the problem. Early indications, again reported by Gazzetta, are not encouraging for the weekend.

He is described as highly unlikely to be included in the squad for the Sassuolo match, a blow for a side already stretched in the final third.

Attacking Options Running Thin

Como’s forward line is under strain. Moise Kean is out. Assane Diao is also sidelined. Now Liberali, who seized his first Serie A start last week in Florence and capped it with a goal, may be forced to watch from the stands.

For a coach trying to maintain momentum on multiple fronts, that is a brutal sequence.

High Position, Tight Margin

Despite the injuries, Como’s start to the league campaign has been quietly outstanding. They sit fifth in Serie A with 14 points from seven games: four wins, two draws and just one defeat.

It is the kind of platform that tempts a club to dream bigger, especially after dismantling Manchester United in Europe. But depth gets tested in seasons like this, and injuries to key attacking players can quickly drag a high-flying side back towards the pack.

Sassuolo arrive next. Como have the points, the confidence, and the crowd. What they may not have is Mattia Liberali, just as he was beginning to look at home on the big stage.