Como turned the Sinigaglia into a European-night celebration, dismantling Manchester United 4-1 in the first meeting between the clubs and handing Michael Carrick a bruising evening against Cesc Fàbregas.
The two former midfield opponents met as coaches for the first time at Como’s home ground, and Fàbregas’ side imposed its rhythm almost from the opening minutes. Nico Paz inspired the Italian team with two goals, while Anastasios Douvikas and Ramón completed a performance in which United struggled to cope with Como’s pressing, movement and control of possession.
Como seize control from the outset
- Diogo Dalot opened the contest with a curling effort, but Como struck in the second minute. United’s defence, including Harry Maguire, afforded Nico Paz room outside the area and the Argentine midfielder placed a left-footed finish into the net for 1-0.
- The early lead lifted the home side further. Alex Valle repeatedly found space down the left against Dalot and won a free-kick after a strong individual run.
- In the 10th minute, Lucas Da Cunha won possession in midfield and released Paz, whose delivery found Douvikas in a promising position, although the Greek forward was closed down.
- United’s first notable opening arrived six minutes later when Bryan Mbeumo crossed for Maguire, whose header failed to trouble the goal.
- Como continued to recover the ball quickly and retain it calmly. Paz’s forward running drew several fouls, while Da Cunha beat two opponents in the 32nd minute before switching play to Valle, who remained a persistent problem for United’s right side.
- Douvikas became increasingly difficult to contain in the penalty area before the interval, but Como could not add to their advantage before the break.
Paz and Douvikas put the contest beyond United
- Three minutes after the restart, Paz drove forward and threaded a pass through for Douvikas. The striker finished past Senne Lammens to make it 2-0 in the 48th minute.
- Martin Baturina soon created another chance for Da Cunha as Como threatened to overwhelm United completely.
- The third goal came in the 56th minute. Paz won the ball from Baloba, found open ground ahead of him and finished to underline Como’s superiority.
- United offered little response. Mbeumo sent a shot narrowly over the bar in the 72nd minute, but the effort did not alter the flow of the match.
- Como produced a fourth in the 76th minute after Valle and Kaiki combined with a sequence of passes, allowing Ramón to apply the finishing touch.
- Joshua Zirkzee scored in the 90th minute to reduce the deficit to 4-1, but it was only a late consolation as Como saw out the closing stages without alarm.
A night to remember on the lake
Fàbregas’ team played with confidence after taking the early lead, mixing aggressive ball recovery with quick, one-touch combinations. Paz was the central figure, scoring twice and creating Douvikas’ goal, while Valle’s work on the left and Da Cunha’s influence in midfield repeatedly stretched United.
For Carrick, it was a starkly different night. United appeared disjointed and vulnerable, unable to match Como’s intensity for long periods and unable to prevent the hosts from turning their first-ever meeting into a comprehensive victory.
