Sassuolo defender Filippo Romagna prepares for a testing encounter against Cesc Fàbregas's Como in the Serie A fixture on 17 April, with the Neroverdi sat tenth in the table on 45 points from 33 matches. The tie arrives at a delicate juncture for both sides: Como are desperate to respond to their home reverse against Inter, whilst Sassuolo must bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at Monza, courtesy of a Colpani strike.
For Romagna, the match represents a genuine audition. With only five league appearances to his name this season and an average rating of 6.80, the 1997-born centre-back remains far from an automatic selection in Fabio Grosso's setup. An overall AI profile of 58 out of 100, with projected potential of 62, suggests there's development still to come — but at 28 years old, those margins grow tighter with every passing month without consistent game time.
Sassuolo take the pitch defending a backline that has shipped 44 goals in 33 matches, little short of one conceded per outing. Grosso has fashioned a side that struggles in front of goal — 41 goals, barely 1.24 per match — and simply cannot afford fresh defensive vulnerabilities. The absence of Domenico Berardi, the Neroverdi skipper, robs them of their primary attacking outlet, placing even greater onus on the defensive unit to hold firm.
Fàbregas's Como, nursing a heavy beating at Inter, arrive in Reggio Emilia under intense pressure to respond. For Romagna, staking a claim to regular action in such circumstances — and holding down that spot through solid performances — is what truly matters in his campaign.