Como’s Historic 9-1 Champions League Win Delights Fàbregas—but One Goal Still Rankles
Como made European football history with a stunning 9-1 victory over Lens, becoming the first Italian club to score nine goals in a single Champions League match and setting a new record for the competition’s biggest away winning margin. Yet amid the celebrations, manager Cesc Fàbregas was still thinking about the goal his team conceded.
The emphatic result was a landmark moment for Como, who are competing in the Champions League for the first time. It also provided a memorable showcase for the club’s attacking depth, with seven different players finding the net. Tasos Douvikas led the scoring with a hat-trick, while Nico Paz, Lucas Da Cunha, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Mattia Liberali, Martin Baturina and debutant Mattia Baba Thiaw also scored.
Thiaw’s goal was especially striking: the young player scored with his first touch in an official appearance for the club. His contribution added another remarkable detail to a night that had already become one of the most extraordinary in Como’s history.
A Record-Breaking Result, but No Room for Complacency
Fàbregas acknowledged the significance of the victory in an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, describing it as an unforgettable occasion for the club and its supporters. He also stressed that the result should be treated as a milestone rather than a guarantee of future success.
“We have written ourselves into the history books,” Fàbregas said, while making clear that his team must maintain its standards. The scale of the scoreline may have surprised even the most optimistic football prediction, but the coach’s focus quickly turned to the demands ahead.
That emphasis reflects the unpredictable nature of the Champions League. A single outstanding performance can lift a team into the spotlight, but the league phase rewards consistency across multiple fixtures. Como have played only four matches in their first European campaign, and Fàbregas believes the club is still at the beginning of its journey.
After the fourth round, Como sit fourth in the league-phase standings with nine points, behind Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Arsenal. Their progress has come alongside difficult setbacks, including heavy 4-1 defeats to Leipzig and Manchester United. The contrast underlines both the team’s potential and the challenge of maintaining a high level against elite opposition.
Why the Conceded Goal Mattered to Fàbregas
For supporters, the late goal conceded to Lens may have seemed insignificant beside Como’s eight-goal winning margin. For the manager, however, it was a reminder that even an exceptional performance can contain details worth correcting.
Fàbregas said Como played well in both attack and defence, but was frustrated by a lapse during the opening five minutes of the second half. He also noted that the defensive picture changed after three substitutions. Lens’ goal came from his former teammate Aguilar, whose finish the coach described as excellent.
The reaction offers a glimpse into Fàbregas’ approach. Rather than allowing a historic scoreline to obscure defensive standards, he focused on the moments that could be improved. That attention to detail may prove important as Como face opponents capable of punishing even brief lapses in concentration.
There is also a practical lesson in the timing of the goal. Changes to a team’s shape and personnel can disrupt defensive organisation, particularly when a match is already comfortably under control. For a club adjusting to the pace and pressure of Champions League football, managing those transitions is part of the learning process.
Inter Milan Next in a Demanding Run
Como have little time to savour the victory. Their next major test is a trip to San Siro to face reigning Italian champions Inter Milan, a fixture that presents a sharp change in challenge. Where Lens were overwhelmed by Como’s attacking surge, Inter are likely to test the visitors through sustained pressure, physical intensity and experience at the highest level.
Fàbregas has urged his players to enjoy what they achieved while quickly turning their attention to the next match. He described the trip to Milan as a difficult encounter, both physically and mentally, and said the team must prepare as well as possible despite a demanding schedule.
The Inter game also arrives during a busy stretch. Fàbregas noted that it would be Como’s ninth match between international breaks, making recovery and preparation especially important. The task is not simply to reproduce the scoreline against Lens, but to show the same identity and discipline in a very different contest.
That distinction matters for fans assessing Como’s prospects. One result, however spectacular, cannot provide a complete prediction of how the club will fare across the season. The more telling measure will be whether the team can respond to setbacks, adapt to different styles and remain competitive through a packed calendar.
Como’s European Story Is Only Beginning
Fàbregas called the 9-1 victory the start of Como’s European journey, not its conclusion. His message is both celebratory and cautious: the players have earned their place in the record books, but the Champions League will continue to demand improvement.
The result has already given Como a defining moment in their first campaign. Douvikas’ hat-trick, the spread of goals across the squad and Thiaw’s debut strike all point to a team with multiple attacking options. But the upcoming test against Inter will offer a different kind of evidence—one focused on resilience, organisation and the ability to compete when space is limited.
For now, Como can take confidence from a night few clubs experience. Their historic win has raised expectations and attracted attention across European football. Fàbregas, however, is keeping the focus firmly on the work ahead: celebrate the achievement, learn from the concession, and prepare for the next challenge.
