Como's Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is under threat from extreme weather ahead of Manchester United's Champions League visit, with more than 6cm of rain forecast in the 24 hours before kick-off and an orange rain warning of "severe weather" issued by the Italian Air Force National Meteorological Service.
The match, scheduled for Tuesday, could be postponed due to the intense rainfall battering northern Italy. This comes after Como had to make drastic changes to their stadium to avoid playing their European fixtures more than 100 miles from home.
Stadium Upgrade Secures Historic European Nights
Cesc Fabregas's side qualified for the Champions League last season, ahead of the likes of Juventus and AC Milan, providing one of the feel-good stories of European football. However, at the end of last season, the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia did not meet the required standard for Champions League football.
If the ground was not updated quickly, Como would have had to play their European games at Sassuolo's stadium, 124 miles to the south. Intense work has since brought the stadium up to UEFA Category 4 status, including a rebuild of one of the stands and upgrades to floodlights, media facilities, toilets and security systems. The pitch was widened by two metres and relaid with new-generation hybrid grass.
Club Statement and Manager's Confidence
After the work was completed, Como issued a statement saying: "To meet UEFA requirements, renovation work on the stadium has been completed, including the construction of a new stand and the enhancement of infrastructure, security systems and operational facilities."
"Sinigaglia has been the home of Como 1907 for almost a century. Its role in the city and in the life of the club makes the opportunity to play these matches here particularly special. Como 1907 would like to thank everyone who helped make this possible, as well as our fans for their patience and constant support throughout the entire process."
Asked if he had any concerns about the surface or the match being impacted, United boss Michael Carrick said: "No, nothing immediate for me. We're kind of used to the rain, so we'll make the most of it."
Carrick Focused on Ending Winless Run
Of bigger concern to Carrick is breaking United's six-game winless run across all competitions, which has led to speculation over his future. Speaking ahead of the game, he said: "I know the role, I know my responsibilities. I don't need anyone else to tell me that or tell me when it's going well or when it needs to be better. I know that myself. I know the realities and I've got no problem with that. It's pretty clear."
