A 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United. Let that sink in for a second. That’s exactly what Como delivered on Wednesday, at the rainy but totally picturesque Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium, proving how far this Serie A outfit has come since their Serie D days. They didn’t just win, they sliced through United time and again, showing everyone in the Champions League they’re not here to mess around.
Fabregas’s Crew and the Nico Paz Show
Cesc Fabregas, man. The progressive coach had his side absolutely flying, leaving Manchester United bewildered. Get this: United is now winless in their past seven games across all competitions, a streak they haven’t seen since 2015. Oof. And at the heart of Como’s attack? The brilliant Nico Paz. This 22-year-old, signed from Real Madrid in 2024, was simply unstoppable. He bagged two goals and set up another, an absolute masterclass.
Paz has been on a tear, seriously. Since the start of September, he’s been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Serie A player. Wednesday’s incredible performance brought him to nine goal involvements in just eight appearances, with four goals and five assists. Are you ready for this? He’s also the youngest Argentine player to be involved in three goals in a single Champions League game since a guy named Lionel Messi did it back in April 2009. Yeah, *that* Messi. Glenn Hoddle on TNT nailed it, saying Paz “has been absolutely brilliant in everything that he has done.” He added that Paz’s play was “creative and risky, but he’s pulled it off.” You can say that again.
From Amateur Club to Champions League Giants
This win isn’t just big, it’s monumental. For Como, this is the most high-profile victory since their entire project kicked off. Think about it: when Manchester United last celebrated a Champions League triumph in 2008, Como was a Serie D club, playing in a semi-professional regional league. Now, they’re not just playing in Serie A, they’re beating European giants. A staff member summed it up perfectly, saying, “It’s Manchester United. We are only just getting our heads around the fact we are playing Inter, Milan and Juventus. This is without doubt the biggest night in the club’s history.” Talk about a glow-up!
This whole journey started when Como, as an amateur club that had returned to Serie D in 2017 after financial issues, caught the eye of Sent Entertainment, owned by Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono. When they struck a deal in 2019, the Hartono brothers were actually planning a TV project to screen matches involving young Indonesian players back home. A visit from Manchester United in the Champions League? That was definitely not on the original blueprint!
What’s Next for Como? Everything.
The club’s chief executive, Mirwan Surwaso, told Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored Podcast this month that the plan had to be “scrapped” when the team suddenly got promoted and had to go professional. The alternative plan is still evolving, but one thing is clear: what was expected to be a “selling year” for developing talent is definitely being amended. This victory against Man Utd just reinforces that Como is not just developing talent, they’re showcasing it on the biggest stage.
Their stadium, by the way, is right on the banks of the iconic Lake Como, with yacht clubs and even an ‘Aero Club’ for sea-planes taking off nearby. They even offer Lake Como tours followed by ‘pre-match Lakeside hospitality.’ How cool is that? In a town of just over 83,000 people, this club has truly become the heart of the community, evidenced by their plush new club shop, something they definitely didn’t need in Serie D. This is more than a football club, it’s a phenomenon. What they do next? The whole continent is watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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