Nico Paz delivered a masterclass with two goals and an assist as Como inflicted a humbling 4-1 defeat on Manchester United at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on Wednesday, marking the most significant victory in the Italian club's recent history. According to BBC Sport, the performance showcased how dramatically Como have transformed from their semi-professional roots, while United extended their winless run to seven matches across all competitions—their worst streak since 2015.
The Argentine forward's two-goal, one-assist performance took him to nine goal involvements in eight appearances this season, comprising four goals and five assists. At 22 years old, Paz became the youngest Argentine player to register involvement in three goals in a single Champions League match since Lionel Messi's performance against Bayern Munich in April 2009. Sky Sports reported that Tasos Douvikas added a third goal in the 49th minute, with Jacobo Ramón sealing the victory in the 76th; Joshua Zirkzee managed United's only response in stoppage time.
Como's triumph moved them to six points in the Champions League league phase after securing their second victory in the competition's new format. The result represents a remarkable turnaround for a club that competed in Serie D—one of Italy's nine semi-professional regional divisions—when Manchester United last won the Champions League in 2008.
How has Como risen so dramatically?
The club's meteoric ascent began when Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono, through their London-based media company Sent Entertainment, acquired Como in 2019. Their initial vision centred on a television project designed to broadcast matches featuring young Indonesian players to audiences back home. However, when Como unexpectedly secured promotion from Serie D in 2017 after returning to that level due to financial concerns, the ownership structure shifted fundamentally.
Chief executive Mirwan Surwaso explained the transformation:
Somehow the team got promoted, we had to go professional, and the plan had to be scrapped.Rather than abandoning their investment, the Hartono brothers adapted their strategy. Manager Cesc Fabregas steered the squad to fourth place in the 2025-26 season, capitalising on AC Milan's shock defeat at Cagliari to secure Champions League qualification. This achievement meant Como progressed from Serie B to European football's premier club competition within five seasons of Fabregas' arrival as a player.
The club's rise has attracted notable figures to its ownership structure. Former France internationals Raphael Varane and Thierry Henry are both investors in Como, adding further prestige to the project. Even Lionel Messi's son Ciro provided endorsement by being pictured wearing a replica Como kit alongside his father earlier this week.
What makes Nico Paz so exceptional?
Since the start of September, Paz has been directly involved in more goals across all competitions than any other Serie A player. His creative and risk-taking approach has consistently delivered results, earning praise from analysts. Glenn Hoddle, commenting on TNT, observed:
He's been absolutely brilliant in everything that he has done. A lot of his play has been creative and risky, but he's pulled it off.
The Tenerife-born international, signed from Real Madrid in 2024, has become the focal point of Fabregas' attacking system. His ability to both score and create opportunities has transformed Como's attacking threat in European competition, establishing him as one of Serie A's most influential young talents.
How has Fabregas transformed Como's playing philosophy?
Fabregas has implemented a fluid tactical approach that grants his players considerable freedom within a structured framework, contrasting sharply with more rigid systems employed by other elite European clubs. His philosophy emphasises creative expression while maintaining defensive solidity.
Compared to when I finished my career here, it is completely different. It is not even night and day. It is another world.
The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder has cultivated a family atmosphere at the club.
Playing Manchester United is a historic day once again for the club, the city of Como and fanbase. When I retired as a player, I coached to get experience. I explained what I thought of the club and my vision and put the plan to work. We are a family here. Even when we lose, fans come and celebrate. We need to be humble and remember who we were because the story of Como will be beautiful, and we will remember it forever.
Despite the spectacular journey Como have undertaken, Fabregas remains focused on future challenges rather than celebrating past achievements.
We were at minus 10 when we started, but we don't want to spend time thinking about what has passed. If you want to do that, retire and go write a book about what Como did. We must look at what is in front of us.
What is Como's stadium experience like?
The Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium offers a uniquely picturesque setting that few Champions League venues can match. Located on the banks of Lake Como—a body of water stretching 29 miles long and up to 2.5 miles wide—the ground provides visitors with access to iconic tourist attractions alongside world-class football. The stadium's surroundings include a yacht club and an Aero Club for seaplanes that take off at regular intervals throughout the day.
Como have capitalised on these natural advantages by offering one-hour Lake Como tours followed by pre-match lakeside hospitality packages. The club's commercial development has expanded rapidly, with a new plush shop selling branded merchandise now operating in the town centre. Such facilities were unimaginable during Como's time in Serie D.
The 12,300-capacity stadium, however, presents infrastructure challenges. Three quarters of the ground remains uncovered, exposing spectators to the elements—a factor that became apparent during Wednesday's rain-soaked encounter. Growing both the playing and commercial sides of the club will prove essential if Como are to maximise their potential in European competition.
What do Como's supporters make of this transformation?
The club's fanbase encompasses both long-standing loyalists and newer supporters drawn by the recent success. Marco Melillo, an out-of-town supporter, discovered Como through his uncle's sticker collection and was captivated by the club's distinctive blue colours and lakeside location.
I know in England a lot of people support teams in lower leagues, but that is not so true in Italy, where people support bigger teams. I do not like that that much. I was not really interested in supporting a team that was winning something. I liked the colours. I liked the stadium and when I came here and saw the lake, it was 'wow'.
Melillo expressed cautious optimism about Como's future, acknowledging both the unprecedented heights the club has reached and the volatility of its recent history.
We know the club is in the best situation ever in its history but when I see the faces of the guys and ladies that were also here in Serie D, we just see in our eyes and say, 'OK, we hope that this story will go on as long as possible, as best as possible, but if it maybe abruptly ended, because in the past we had also some bad things, we know we will be there'.
Federico Borghi, a local supporter who began attending matches in 2008, brought a comprehensive Como 1907-2007 history book to Wednesday's fixture.
In 2008, I had just started to go to the stadium to attend games. Not even in our best dreams could we think of playing Manchester United. I get chills even thinking about it. As soon as I entered the stadium for the first time I realised this was going to be my faith. I was there in the bad times and that has strengthened my faith and my relationship with the club. The Premier League is my inspiration and to face one of the top three or four biggest clubs in the world, it's a big honour.
What regulatory challenges lie ahead?
Como's rapid rise has prompted scrutiny regarding compliance with UEFA's financial regulations. The governing body does not intend to amend its financial rules despite Como's extraordinary progression from Serie B. Surwaso addressed these concerns directly, stating:
The scrutiny is on us but we always have our books in order, so we are not too worried.
The club's financial structure, backed by substantial Indonesian investment, has enabled rapid squad development while maintaining regulatory compliance. However, sustaining this balance while competing against established European powerhouses will require careful management of both playing and commercial operations.
What happens next for Manchester United?
Manchester United's next fixture is scheduled against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, though an official date has not yet been confirmed. The defeat to Como represents a nadir in their recent form, extending their winless streak and raising questions about tactical direction under manager Michael Carrick. Yahoo Sports noted that Matthijs de Ligt returned to United's starting lineup for the first time in 356 days, while the club also conceded inside the first two minutes—repeating a vulnerability exposed in their previous major European match against Atlético Madrid.
Key Facts
- Nico Paz scored twice and created one goal in Como's 4-1 victory, taking him to nine goal involvements in eight appearances this season
- Como progressed from Serie D to the Champions League within five seasons, with Cesc Fabregas arriving as a player and later becoming manager
- The club is backed by Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono, with additional investment from former France internationals Raphael Varane and Thierry Henry
- Manchester United extended their winless run to seven matches across all competitions, their worst streak since 2015
- Como's Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium offers a unique setting on the banks of Lake Como, with three quarters of the 12,300-capacity ground remaining uncovered
