Como Make History With Stunning Champions League Debut Rout

Como delivered a sensational statement on the grandest stage of all, dismantling RB Leipzig 4-1 at a revamped Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on September 10, 2026, to mark the club’s very first appearance in a UEFA competition.

The Lariani had never participated in European football before this campaign, and the stadium underwent summer renovation work to meet the criteria for hosting a Champions League fixture.

What followed was a front-foot display from a side making its debut in the competition, backed by around 11,000 supporters inside the reduced-capacity venue.

A Four-Goal Statement Of Arrival

Martin Baturina wrote himself into the club’s history books with the 15th-minute opener, pouncing on a loose ball after Tasos Douvikas’ low cross was only half-cleared, and finishing calmly to become the first player in Como’s history to score in European competition.

Douvikas doubled the advantage in the 38th minute, running onto an inspired Baturina pass to spring the offside trap and finish clinically past Maarten Vandevoordt.

Assane Diao made it three shortly after the restart, rifling in from a tight angle in the 54th minute after Nico Paz sent him clear down the right.

RB Leipzig hit back through Andrija Maksimovic’s scorching strike in the 58th minute, set up by Christopher Nkunku, but Máximo Perrone restored the emphatic scoreline in the 90th minute, sweeping home after another Nico Paz assist to seal a 4-1 win.

Trevoh Chalobah, one of Como’s summer signings, anchored the defence throughout, while Moise Kean was left to wait for his first start since his deadline-day move from Fiorentina.

Leipzig were missing Christoph Baumgartner, Rocco Reitz and several others, while Como’s own absentees included Maxence Caqueret and Edoardo Goldaniga. Baturina was named UEFA’s player of the match.

Diao’s Dream Night Sparks Capello’s Explosive Leão Claim

For Diao, the moment carried personal weight. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, the winger said it was the dream of all children to play in the Champions League.

He said that, after Como’s win over Genoa, he had imagined hearing the competition’s anthem and described the experience as wonderful when it finally happened.

Diao added that he had dreamed of the moment and saw that dream come true.

Fabio Capello was watching closely and said afterwards that Diao reminded him of Rafael Leão. According to Calciomercato.com, Capello considered the Como forward technically superior to the former Milan star.

He also described Como as a joy to watch, while telling Corriere dello Sport that he did not understand why Fàbregas gathers his players in a circle after every match.

Fàbregas Demands Standards On Two Fronts

Cesc Fàbregas was quick to temper the euphoria. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, he said the satisfaction would last only five minutes because Como had to prepare immediately for Parma.

He stressed that Serie A remains the club’s most important target because it provides the route back to the Champions League.

Fàbregas warned that his young squad, boosted by European energy, must stay humble and perform every three days in what he described as a mentality test during a tough season.

Como’s win made them the only Serie A club to triumph on Matchday 1.

It was also their third consecutive victory, following wins over Napoli and Genoa, and continued the momentum around a squad that includes players such as Yan Couto.