Máximo Perrone establishes himself as an essential choice for Lionel Scaloni after his performance in Como's thrashing

With a vibrant performance in the blue victory of the weekend, winning 3-1 against Lecce in Serie A Matchday 27, Argentine midfielder Máximo Perrone has placed his name on Lionel Scaloni’s consideration list for upcoming international commitments. The victory carried the signature style of Cesc Fábregas’s team, which once again demonstrated why it has become the surprise of the Italian campaign, but it was precisely the control and circulation of the game from the midfield that sealed the difference.

The match: from an initial scare to a strong reaction

Lecce quickly raised alarm with Lassana Coulibaly’s header goal in the early minutes, but adversity ended up being the catalyst for a remarkable transformation. The home team responded with vigor, and that was when Perrone took on a leading role. At just 23 years old, the midfielder from Vélez orchestrated the blue comeback with surgical passes that dismantled the visiting defense.

In the 18th minute, after regaining possession in the center of the field, Perrone executed a penetrating diagonal pass toward the flank that found Jesús Rodríguez in space. The execution was so precise that it allowed Rodríguez to assist Anastasios Douvikas for the instant equalizer. Shortly after, it was again his vision of the game that created tactical superiority. With an extremely subtle movement, the Argentine delivered a delicate pass that reached Rodríguez in perfect conditions; the Spanish winger easily outpaced the goalkeeper Jean Butez and scored without difficulty.

Building play from the midfield

What stands out about Perrone’s performance is his ability to be the key orchestrator of Como’s offensive actions. It’s not just about executing one accurate pass after another, but about the tactical understanding he demonstrates regarding when to accelerate, when to slow down, and where to direct circulation to break down defensive schemes. His constant presence and game reading make it practically impossible for opponents to neutralize Como’s initiative.

At the 43rd minute, the third goal of the afternoon arrived from a free kick near the area. Lucas Da Cunha, the French midfielder partnering with Perrone, connected a delivery that Marc-Oliver Kempf headed to close an overwhelming first half for the hosts.

Lionel Scaloni’s analysis: an increasingly present option

In the context of the upcoming Finalissima against Spain and the June-July World Cup, Lionel Scaloni has solid options in the midfield zone. However, Perrone’s consistent performances in Italian top flight are beginning to shift the discussion about the definitive squad. His defensive ability combined with a modern and effective distribution of play makes him an increasingly difficult profile for the Argentine coaching staff to ignore.

The broader context: Como and its projection

Perrone’s exit in the 64th minute coincided with the entry of Nicolás Paz, returning after a suspension due to accumulated cards that kept him out of the victory against Juventus in Turin. Paz, who is already part of Argentina’s 26-man World Cup squad, represents another alternative in midfield, but Perrone’s performance on this occasion reinforces the idea that having depth in options is a significant strength.

With this victory, Como is placed fifth in the table, qualifying for the Europa League zone. The campaign has been extraordinary, with only five defeats so far this season. Fábregas, meanwhile, decided to leave Douvikas on the bench despite sharing the team’s top scorer status with nine goals, a move some interpret as a small punishment for accumulated cards. The truth is that under the Spanish strategist’s leadership, Como has found a clear and convincing identity where passing accuracy and tactical fluidity are almost unquestionable.

For Lionel Scaloni, Perrone’s performances in these matches continue to be subject to analysis. His elite level in Serie A cannot be overlooked when discussing the future of the national midfield heading into high-stakes commitments.