Como ease past Leipzig in dream Champions League debut

Como made an impressive Champions League debut by defeating visitors RB Leipzig 4-1 in their opening league-phase outing at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Goals from Martin Baturina and Tasos Douvikas in the first half gave the debutants a 2-0 lead before Assane Diao and Maximo Perrone added to the scoreline after the break on a historic night for the Italian club on the shores of Lake Como. Como have had to wait 119 years to play their first game in Europe, but they only needed 15 minutes to make a mark on the occasion as Baturina pulled them ahead in front of their 11,000-strong support.

Douvikas drove into the box and cut the ball back, but Leipzig defender Ridle Baku failed to clear it, and the Croatian attacking midfielder recovered from a slip inside the box to score the Serie A side’s first-ever goal on the continental stage. The roles were reversed in the 38th minute when Baturina played Douvikas on goal and the forward slotted past Maarten Vandevoordt to double Como’s advantage. Cesc Fabregas’ side continued their ascendancy in the second half as Senegal winger Diao finished across goalkeeper Vandevoordt from a tight angle before their captain Lucas da Cunha spurned a gilt-edged chance to score a fourth. Andrija Maksimovic’s first-time effort from the edge of the box reduced the deficit for the Bundesliga club but Perrone’s fourth for the hosts in the 90th minute capped off a fantastic night for Como. Como have enjoyed a rapid and remarkable rise in Italian football, securing a place in…