Italian side Como earned a memorable 4-1 victory against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium. The result leaves Manchester United winless in seven matches across all competitions for the first time since 2015. In contrast, Como’s convincing performance highlights how far the club has risen since competing in Italy’s semi-professional Serie D when United last lifted the European cup in 2008.
Paz Drives Historic European Victory
At the center of Como’s attack was 22-year-old Argentina international Nico Paz, who arrived from Real Madrid in 2024. Paz scored two goals and provided an assist during the match. Since early September, no player in Serie A has contributed directly to more goals in all competitions. His performance brought his tally to four goals and five assists across eight matches, making him the youngest Argentine footballer to contribute directly to three goals in a single Champions League fixture since Lionel Messi faced Bayern Munich in April 2009.
Reflecting on the match, Paz expressed his delight with the team’s achievement. “It was a historic night because we played against one of the best teams ever, to do this at home is incredible, we are very happy for our performance,” said Paz.
Analyst Lars Sivertsen highlighted the midfielder’s work rate during BBC’s Champions League coverage, noting that Paz combines significant physical effort with technical creativity. “Paz really runs, he covers a lot of ground. He’s melded the old-school Argentine creative number 10 style with the physical demands of modern football,” Sivertsen said.
Club personnel noted the monumental nature of the result. “It’s Manchester United. We are only just getting our heads around the fact we are playing Inter, Milan and Juventus,” one staff member stated, adding that it marked the most significant night in the club’s history.
Transformation From Lower Leagues
Como’s journey toward top-flight football began after entering Serie D in 2017 due to financial issues. In 2019, London-based media company Sent Entertainment, owned by Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono, acquired the club. Chief executive Mirwan Surwaso explained on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored Podcast that the original intention was to broadcast games featuring young Indonesian players to audiences back home, rather than building a Champions League team.
“Somehow the team got promoted, we had to go professional, and the plan had to be scrapped,” Surwaso explained.
Under manager Cesc Fabregas, who initially joined as a player before taking over as head coach, the team finished fourth in the 2025-26 Serie A season to qualify for Europe. The club made the leap from Serie B to the Champions League in just five years. Off the pitch, the club has expanded its brand, opening a flagship store in town and offering matchday boat tours on Lake Como.
Fabregas reflected on the rapid progress made since ending his playing career at the venue. “Compared to when I finished my career here, it is completely different,” Fabregas said. “It is not even night and day. It is another world.”
Fabregas emphasized the importance of staying focused on future goals despite the swift transition. “Playing Manchester United is a historic day once again for the club, the city of Como and fanbase,” he noted. “When I retired as a player, I coached to get experience. I explained what I thought of the club and my vision and put the plan to work. We are a family here. Even when we lose, fans come and celebrate. We need to be humble and remember who we were because the story of Como will be beautiful, and we will remember it forever.”
Navigating Growth and Regulations
As the club establishes itself at the highest level, questions surrounding financial regulations have emerged. UEFA intends to apply its standard financial compliance guidelines despite Como’s sudden rise from the lower divisions. Addressing potential regulatory oversight, Surwaso told Morgan, “The scrutiny is on us but we always have our books in order, so we are not too worried.”
Infrastructure remains another area for development. The 12,300-capacity Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia features three uncovered stands, leaving spectators exposed to the rain during Wednesday’s fixture. Fabregas stressed that his squad must not become complacent with their recent accomplishments.
“We were at minus 10 when we started, but we don’t want to spend time thinking about what has passed,” Fabregas stated. “If you want to do that, retire and go write a book about what Como did. We must look at what is in front of us.”
Long-time supporters who followed the club through its lower-league years continue to adjust to the team’s new status. Visiting supporter Marco Melillo recalled becoming a fan through his uncle’s sticker album and choosing Como for its stadium location and club colors rather than historical success. Melillo noted that fans who witnessed the Serie D era share a silent understanding regarding the club’s uncertain past and extraordinary present.
“We know the club is in the best situation ever in its history but when I see the faces of the guys and ladies that were also here in Serie D, we just see in our eyes and say, ‘OK, we hope that this story will go on as long as possible, as best as possible, but if it maybe abruptly ended, because in the past we had also some bad things, we know we will be there’,” Melillo said.
Local supporter Federico Borghi, who began attending games in 2008 and brought a century-long club history book to the stadium, reflected on the fixture against the Premier League side. “In 2008, I had just started to go to the stadium to attend games,” Borghi said. “Not even in our best dreams could we think of playing Manchester United. I get chills even thinking about it. As soon as I entered the stadium for the first time I realised this was going to be my faith. I was there in the bad times and that has strengthened my faith and my relationship with the club. The Premier League is my inspiration and to face one of the top three or four biggest clubs in the world, it’s a big honour.”
Source: BBC Sport
