Como handed Manchester United a second straight defeat in the Champions League, winning 4-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Nico Paz scored twice and provided an assist as Cesc Fabregas’ team secured an impressive victory.
United, managed by Michael Carrick, suffered an early setback after losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid the previous week. Como took the lead in the second minute when Lucas da Cunha found Paz near the edge of the penalty area. The Argentine playmaker created space around Harry Maguire before curling a left-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
United struggled to respond and went into half-time trailing 1-0. Carrick introduced Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo after the break, but the changes failed to stop Como from dominating the contest.
Just four minutes into the second half, Paz delivered a precise pass through United’s defence to Anastasios Douvikas, who lifted the ball over Lammens to make it 2-0.
Paz then extended Como’s advantage in the 57th minute. He dispossessed Baleba in a dangerous area, drove towards goal and curled another shot past Lammens to complete his brace.
Como continued to expose United’s defensive weaknesses. In the 76th minute, Kaiki crossed from the left, allowing centre-back Jacobo Ramon to head home unmarked and make it 4-0.
Substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation for United in stoppage time, converting Amad’s delivery. However, the goal did little to change the outcome as Como completed a convincing 4-1 Champions League victory.
The defeat adds to United’s struggles in Europe. Carrick’s side has conceded six goals and scored only once across its last two Champions League matches. United has also recorded just one win in its previous 11 away games in the competition.
For Como, who played in Italy’s fourth division seven years ago, the result marked another milestone in their first Champions League campaign. The club has now won two of its first three league-phase matches.
Can Manchester United recover from this disappointing run and regain its form in Europe?
