Como make historic Champions League debut with Leipzig win

Just over two years after competing in Serie B, Como announced themselves on Europe's biggest stage with an aggressive and confident performance that left Leipzig struggling to cope with their intensity.

The hosts started quickly and almost took the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, but Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt made important saves to keep out Anastasios Douvikas and Nico Paz.

Como's pressure finally paid off soon afterwards when Martin Baturina opened the scoring. The midfielder recovered brilliantly after losing his footing, shifted the ball onto his right foot and calmly fired into the bottom corner.

Leipzig responded through Antonio Nusa, Andrija Maksimovic and Marc Guiu, but Jean Butez stood firm in the Como goal. Guiu also missed a good opportunity when he headed wide from a promising position.

Como were the stronger side, however, and doubled their lead shortly before half-time. Baturina turned provider this time, releasing Douvikas, who held off Castello Lukeba before finishing confidently beyond Vandevoordt.

Leipzig returned for the second half with greater purpose, but Como soon struck again.

Douvikas and Paz combined during a quick attacking move before Assane Diao finished across Vandevoordt and into the bottom corner to put Como 3-0 ahead.

The home side then came close to adding a fourth when captain Lucas Da Cunha raced through on another counter-attack, only to volley narrowly wide with Vandevoordt stranded.

Leipzig immediately punished the missed opportunity as Maksimovic produced a superb first-time strike from outside the box to give the visitors hope.

But Como refused to allow their opponents back into the contest.

Rather than taking unnecessary risks, Cesc Fabregas' side controlled the game and looked increasingly comfortable as Leipzig struggled to create clear openings. Riddle Baku came closest to adding another for the visitors, but his effort flashed past the post.

Como remained dangerous on the counter and eventually put the result beyond doubt in added time when Máximo Perrone calmly found the corner to complete a memorable 4-1 victory.

The result gives Fabregas' side the perfect start to their Champions League campaign and extends their unbeaten run at the beginning of the 2026/27 season.

For Leipzig, it was another damaging defeat after their previous loss, with a difficult run ahead that includes meetings with Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

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