Como had a remarkable Champions League debut, defeating over RB Leipzig with a score of 4-1 in their first league-phase match at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
Goals by Martin Baturina and Tasos Douvikas in the first half provided the debutants a 2-0 advantage before Assane Diao and Maximo Perrone increased the score after halftime on a momentous night for the Italian club by Lake Como.
Como waited 119 years to play their inaugural game in Europe, but they required just 15 minutes to leave their mark as Baturina scored to put them in the lead before their 11,000 fans.
Douvikas entered the box and delivered a cutback, but Leipzig’s Ridle Baku mishandled it, allowing the Croatian attacking midfielder to regain his footing after slipping inside the area to net the Serie A team’s inaugural goal on the continental scene.
In the 38th minute, the roles switched as Baturina assisted Douvikas, who then scored past Maarten Vandevoordt to enhance Como’s lead.
Cesc Fabregas’ team maintained their dominance in the second half as Senegalese winger Diao curled a shot past goalkeeper Vandevoordt from a narrow angle, while their captain Lucas da Cunha missed a golden opportunity to add a fourth goal.
Andrija Maksimovic’s initial strike from the box’s edge lessened the gap for the Bundesliga team, but Perrone’s fourth goal for Como in the 90th minute finalized a remarkable evening for the hosts.
Acquired by Indonesia’s Djarum Group in 2019, Como has experienced a swift and impressive ascent in Italian football, achieving European competition qualification.
The team from Lombardy has faced bankruptcy twice in the last twenty years and ended a 21-year absence from Serie A in 2024 after achieving three promotions in six years.
“According to European football journalist Julien Laurens, their new owners have poured in substantial funds while preserving the club’s long-standing spirit,” BBC Match of the Day reported.
Como secured fourth place in Italy last season under the guidance of ex-Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona midfielder Fabregas, earning their spot in this season’s Champions League.
The 2010 World Cup champion started his coaching career with Como in Serie B in 2024 and has witnessed his reputation as a manager grow alongside the team’s success.
The Spaniard was said to be among the candidates on Chelsea’s shortlist to succeed Liam Rosenior in the summer but has remained to lead a third season with the team.
“Fabregas arrived as a young coach and helped them qualify with a young squad last year,” Laurens said.
“He has taken a lot of these players to the next level and has created an incredible atmosphere. He is demanding and hardworking. They are a big family—Italian clubs are very much like that. They have that connection with the fans.
“And Fabregas is very much at the heart of everything. And if he leaves one day, it will be incredibly difficult to replace him.”
Following the sellout of tickets for their European debut, the club’s president Mirwan Suwarso and several directors announced their intention to donate their seats to enable elderly fans to participate.
In the upcoming European match, Como will visit Feyenoord on 14 October, while Leipzig will host PSV Eindhoven the day before.
