Como wrote one of those European nights that remain with a club long after the rain has cleared from the Sinigaglia. Cesc Fabregas’ side beat Manchester United 4-1, taking control almost immediately and sustaining it through a match in which Nico Paz supplied both the early breakthrough and the defining individual display.
The coach and the club
Fabregas’ Como did not merely protect an advantage against illustrious opposition. They imposed themselves from the opening minutes, kept possession for long stretches and punished a Manchester United team that struggled to find clarity under Michael Carrick.
The visitors had briefly threatened first, Diogo Dalot sending a left-footed attempt wide. Como answered straight away. Da Cunha found Nico Paz near the edge of the area, and the former Real Madrid player shaped a curling left-foot finish beyond Lammens after just two minutes. It was Paz’s first Champions League goal.
From then on, United found very little rhythm. Their pressure repeatedly failed to disturb Como’s construction, while Butez was largely tested from set pieces rather than sustained attacking moves.
Douvikas was central to the home side’s threat before the interval. He forced Lammens into a save that led to a corner, then sent a promising chance over after a delivery from Couto in the 39th minute. Two minutes later he was brought down by the Belgian goalkeeper, although the attack was halted by an offside decision.
A second-half statement
Como resumed with the same authority. Four minutes after the restart, Baturina released Nico Paz, whose pass rewarded Douvikas’ run behind the defence. The striker got ahead of De Ligt and finished past the advancing Lammens to make it 2-0.
United could not summon a meaningful response, and their problems deepened when Baleba lost possession while playing out. Nico Paz seized on the mistake, drove through on goal and completed his brace for Como’s third.
The English side did produce a handful of efforts from distance. Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes both tried their luck, while Diallo provided their most dangerous attempt and was United’s brightest performer on a difficult evening. None of them, however, changed the direction of the contest.
The fourth goal arrived in the 76th minute and reflected the confidence of a side playing with complete command. Kaiki crossed from the left and Jacobo Ramón arrived unmarked at the far post, heading beyond Lammens.
Joshua Zirkzee scored in stoppage time for Manchester United, but it was only a late consolation. The final whistle confirmed a 4-1 win for Como: a commanding night for Fabregas’ team, with Nico Paz at the heart of a result the Sinigaglia will not quickly forget.
