Como marked their first Champions League appearance with a memorable 4-1 win over RB Leipzig in their opening league-phase fixture at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
Martin Baturina and Tasos Douvikas gave the Italian club a two-goal cushion before the interval, while Assane Diao and Maximo Perrone struck after the break to seal a historic evening for the club by Lake Como.
Having waited 119 years for their first European match, Como required just 15 minutes to leave their mark. Baturina broke the deadlock in front of roughly 11,000 fans.
Como’s Champions League debut versus Leipzig
Douvikas burst into the penalty area before pulling the ball back, but Leipzig defender Ridle Baku failed to clear. Baturina recovered after slipping inside the box and found the net to score Como’s first-ever goal in European competition.
The roles were reversed in the 38th minute. Baturina played Douvikas through on goal, and the forward calmly beat Maarten Vandevoordt to double Como’s lead.
Cesc Fabregas’ side continued to dictate play after the interval. Senegal winger Diao finished from a tight angle past Vandevoordt, while captain Lucas da Cunha squandered a great chance to add another.
Leipzig eventually pulled one back through Andrija Maksimovic, whose first-time strike from the edge of the box reduced the deficit. Perrone then restored Como’s three-goal advantage in the 90th minute to complete the 4-1 victory.
Como’s swift ascent to European football
The Champions League outing capped a remarkable rise for Como, who have secured European football after a challenging period in their history. The Lombardy-based club went bankrupt twice over the past two decades.
Como ended a 21-year wait to return to Serie A in 2024, earning promotion after three promotions in six seasons.
Under former Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona midfielder Fabregas, the club finished fourth in Italy last season. That result secured their spot in this season’s Champions League.
Como gear up for their next European match
The historic European debut took place in front of a sold-out crowd. Before the match, club president Mirwan Suwarso and several directors announced plans to give away their seats so elderly supporters could attend.
Como will play their next European fixture away from home, travelling to Feyenoord on 14 October.
RB Leipzig’s next European match will come a day earlier, when the Bundesliga club hosts PSV Eindhoven.