In Rotterdam, Feyenoord found the response they needed after their heavy opening Champions League defeat to Barcelona, beating Como 3-2 in an open contest shaped by two coaches with Barcelona in their playing past. Gio van Bronckhorst’s side recovered from the 5-1 loss to Barça, while Cesc Fàbregas saw his Como team fall despite a late rally.
Feyenoord answer Como’s early strike
Both sides sought control from the opening minutes, reflecting the attacking instincts of their respective coaches. Feyenoord gradually played with greater speed and authority, but Como struck first from one of their early incursions.
- Assane Diao gave Como the lead in the 18th minute after Jacobo Ramón sent a long pass towards the wing.
- Diao beat Javi López in the chase, ran through on Tjark Ernst and finished across the goalkeeper.
- The scorer was injured during the move and had to be replaced by Jesús Rodríguez.
- Feyenoord equalised two minutes later through Gjival Zechiël, who took Luciano Valente’s pass with his back to goal, turned away from Máximo Perrone and drove a fine effort beyond Robert Sánchez from the edge of the area.
The Dutch side pressed Como back after the equaliser. The Italian club struggled to play out cleanly and had difficulty bringing Nico Paz into the game while he operated as a false nine.
Hadj Moussa and a fortunate third goal
Feyenoord resumed with the same momentum after the interval. Anis Hadj Moussa put the hosts ahead in the 52nd minute, creating room with a cut inside before firing a fierce left-footed shot inside the near post.
Fàbregas responded around the hour mark with a triple substitution and a change of shape. Anastasios Douvikas moved into the centre-forward role, allowing Nico Paz to drop deeper. Como then enjoyed a much stronger spell of possession, with the Argentine international becoming more involved and testing Ernst from distance.
Yet Feyenoord defended their advantage well and retained a threat through Hadj Moussa on the break. The Algerian’s next effort proved decisive in unusual fashion: Jacobo Ramón diverted the shot onto the post, and the rebound struck Robert Sánchez in the back before crossing the line for an own goal.
Como’s late consolation
The own goal gave Feyenoord a two-goal cushion and ultimately settled the result, although Como reduced the deficit in stoppage time. Douvikas scored after a long ball was not properly dealt with by Mika Mármol, completing a 3-2 scoreline.
- Feyenoord: 3
- Como: 2
- Feyenoord’s next Champions League opponent: Real Betis, on Wednesday
- Como had begun their Champions League campaign with a 4-1 victory over Leipzig
For Feyenoord, the night brought an immediate measure of repair after Barcelona. For Como, it was a defeat in a match where their second-half adjustment gave them control, but not the points.
