Como’s Champions League meeting with Feyenoord took an uncomfortable turn for Cesc Fabregas after Diao’s bright early contribution was cut short by a suspected muscle problem in his left thigh.
The forward had given Como the lead in the second matchday fixture, finishing at the far post after driving down the right and getting beyond his opponent. Yet his celebration already suggested that something was wrong, with Diao showing clear discomfort after striking the ball past Ermst.
Only two minutes after the goal, Diao went down and signalled that he could not continue. His evening ended after just 23 minutes, with Jesus Rodriguez introduced in his place.
The incident leaves Como awaiting a fuller assessment of the thigh issue, at a point when the club’s European campaign is running alongside the demands of the Italian season. Diao had supplied the kind of direct running and decisive finish that can change a match quickly; Fabregas was instead forced into an early alteration before the contest had properly settled.
