Como made history on Wednesday night, sweeping RB Leipzig aside 4-1 at a renovated Stadio Sinigaglia to mark their first-ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League with a performance that will resonate across Europe.
Martin Baturina opened the scoring after just 15 minutes, capitalising on a loose ball after Tasos Douvikas's initial effort was blocked. The Croatian midfielder, who started the move from deep, collected the rebound, sent a defender to the ground with a sharp feint and drilled low from 12 yards. It was the kind of goal that announced Como's arrival on the biggest stage.
Douvikas doubled the lead before half-time, latching onto a magnificent Baturina ball from inside his own half. The Greek striker held off Castello Lukeba, stayed onside, and finished with composure. By then, the Stadio Sinigaglia — renovated over the summer to meet UEFA criteria — was rocking.
Nico Paz was the architect of much of Como's best work. Though he did not score, the Argentine's vision and passing range consistently unlocked Leipzig's defence. His role in the third goal was decisive: Paz fed Assane Diao down the right and everyone expected a cross. Instead, the Spaniard rifled in from an impossibly tight angle with his right foot, a moment of individual brilliance that killed the contest.
Leipzig pulled one back through Andrija Maksimovic in the 58th minute after Christopher Nkunku — the former Milan forward returning to Italian soil — intercepted a stray Paz pass and set up the finish from the edge of the box. It was a brief reminder of Leipzig's quality, but nothing more.
Maxi Perrone sealed the victory in the final minute, sweeping past the goalkeeper after a pinpoint Nico Paz pass released him on the counter. It was four, and it could have been more had Paz not stumbled at the crucial moment after Moise Kean robbed El Aynaoui to spark a late break.
Kean, who completed a deadline-day move from Fiorentina, came off the bench and immediately added physicality to Como's attack. The Italian forward was not registered on the original UEFA list, but his presence gave Fabregas an extra dimension in the closing stages.
For Cesc Fabregas, this was validation of a project that has transformed Como from Serie B survivors into Champions League competitors in barely two years. The Spaniard, who took charge when the club was still in the second tier, has built a side capable of competing with Europe's elite — and on this evidence, surpassing them.
The result leaves Como in a strong position in the league phase, with fixtures against PSG and Barcelona still to come. If they play like this, none of them will relish the trip to Como.
Sources
- https://football-italia.net/ucl-como-4-1-rb-leipzig-ideal-champions-league/
- https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Como/11-09-2026/como-lipsia-pagelle-voti-gazzetta.shtml
