Cesc Fàbregas has built Como into a team that expects to dictate matches, regardless of the opposition. Against Manchester United, that confidence translated into one of the most impressive performances of the club’s European campaign.
Como won 4–1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, overwhelming Michael Carrick’s side with the quality of their movement, the intensity of their pressing and an attacking approach that United struggled to contain.
Nico Paz opened the scoring inside three minutes, curling a left-footed finish beyond Senne Lammens. The Argentine then created the second for Anastasios Douvikas shortly after half-time before capitalising on Carlos Baleba’s loss of possession to score again. Jacobo Ramón added a fourth, with Joshua Zirkzee’s stoppage-time goal providing United’s only reply.
What made the performance particularly impressive was Como’s control of the contest. Fàbregas’s side repeatedly found space between United’s defensive lines, moved possession with purpose and pressed aggressively enough to prevent the visitors from establishing any sustained rhythm. Paz was outstanding, but the collective understanding around him was equally important.
Como’s rapid rise has attracted considerable attention, particularly because of the investment and recruitment behind the project. Yet the most persuasive evidence of their progress is now coming from the football itself. Fàbregas has assembled a technically gifted group and developed a system that allows those qualities to influence matches against established European opposition.
The victory followed another 4–1 Champions League performance against RB Leipzig, strengthening Como’s credentials in their debut campaign.
Manchester United’s shortcomings will attract much of the attention, but reducing the result to another disappointing United performance would overlook the quality of their opponents. Como imposed their football on a club with far greater European experience and maintained that authority throughout the evening.
