Italy endured an unprecedented Champions League night without a point, as Napoli, Inter, Como and Roma were all beaten and the country’s four representatives conceded 14 goals between them.
Never before had four Italian clubs lost on the same Champions League matchday. Their combined nine goals were not enough to prevent a clean sweep of defeats, with late collapses turning promising positions into a damaging continental setback.
Quick facts
- Napoli, Inter, Como and Roma all lost on the same Champions League matchday.
- Italian sides scored nine times but conceded 14 goals.
- Napoli, Como and Roma each led before losing.
- Club Brugge beat Inter 4-3, handing them a second defeat in this Champions League campaign.
- Roma conceded three times in eight minutes against Real Madrid, losing 4-3 at the Olimpico.
Napoli were ahead at Villarreal but could not protect the advantage. A defensive mistake gave the Spanish side a route back into the contest and Villarreal completed a turnaround to win 3-1.
Allegri pointed to the sharper demands of Europe after the defeat. “The Champions League level is higher,” he said. “Against medium and smaller teams you do not always notice it, but in the Champions League you do.”
In Rotterdam, Como suffered a similar fate under Cesc Fàbregas. They took the lead against Feyenoord, only for the Dutch side to reverse the match and claim a 3-2 victory.
Inter were the only Italian side not to lead in their game, but their trip to Club Brugge still produced another painful result. The Belgian club won 4-3, inflicting Inter’s second loss of the league phase.
The harshest finish came in Rome, where Roma were close to beating Real Madrid, managed by their former coach José Mourinho. The home side’s hopes disappeared in the closing minutes as Madrid levelled in the 85th minute and struck again in the 90th.
Three goals conceded across eight minutes left Roma beaten 4-3 and completed a night in which every Italian entrant left the Champions League empty-handed.
