Como mark Champions League debut with emphatic Leipzig victory
Como 1907 began their first European campaign with a 4-1 home victory over RB Leipzig on Thursday, making an immediate impression in the Champions League. Martin Baturina opened the scoring in the 15th minute before setting up Anastasios Douvikas for the second. Assane Diao made it 3-0 before half-time, and Máximo Perrone completed the rout shortly before the final whistle. The result came in front of around 10,000 supporters at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, whose capacity had been reduced during stadium modifications. Como had never previously competed in a UEFA tournament.
The performance under Cesc Fàbregas gave further substance to Como's rapid rise from Serie D to Europe's elite competition. The club secured qualification by finishing fourth in Serie A last season, ahead of Juventus and AC Milan, and showed against Leipzig that their progress was not merely a consequence of domestic inconsistency among established rivals. Baturina was named man of the match and said it had been “a great night for the team and for the city”. Como's attacking display now gives their European campaign an unexpectedly strong starting point.
Nico Paz backs decision to remain at Como after Leipzig triumph
Nico Paz said he had made the right decision by staying at Como after starring in the club's historic 4-1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder supplied two assists in the match, helping Como make a spectacular European debut. Real Madrid had the option to bring him back during the summer, but Paz continued in Italy after Como reportedly paid €60 million to retain him. Madrid kept another buy-back clause as part of that agreement, with the possibility of re-signing him in summer 2027.
Paz explained that he believed Como offered the best environment for his continued development, particularly with Champions League football now part of his schedule. “I thought this was where I would grow the most. I think I made the right decision, and I'm glad I did stay at Como,” he said after the Leipzig match. His influence provides a significant boost to Fàbregas's side, while the arrangement leaves Real Madrid with a future route back to a player who has quickly become central to Como's ambitious project.
Amorim expects frustrated Pulisic to feature against Lazio
Christian Pulisic was expected to make his first Serie A appearance of the season when AC Milan travelled to Lazio on Saturday. Milan manager Ruben Amorim said the United States international would play at least a few minutes, although he had not decided whether Pulisic would start or come off the bench. The winger had been named among the substitutes for Milan's first three league matches but had recorded zero minutes after recovering from a bone bruise and microfractures to his right tibia and fibula sustained during the World Cup.
Amorim said Pulisic was unhappy with his lack of involvement but regarded that frustration positively, describing it as the attitude he wanted from his players. The coach also acknowledged that Pulisic had suffered another knock during his first training session back before pausing his recovery. His return would give Milan another attacking option for a difficult fixture against a Lazio side with three wins from three league matches. Amorim praised Lazio's pace and identity, while pointing to Gennaro Gattuso's passion as an example Milan needed to reproduce.
Mastantuono hat-trick gives Fiorentina first Serie A win
Fiorentina secured their first Serie A victory of the season on Friday, with Franco Mastantuono scoring a hat-trick against Venezia. The result ended a difficult opening run for both clubs, who had entered the match without a point from their first three league fixtures. Venezia initially took the lead through Akor Adams, but Mastantuono's three goals powered Fiorentina to their first success of the campaign. The match was Paolo Vanoli's second debut as Fiorentina head coach after the club dismissed Fabio Grosso earlier in the week.
Vanoli returned to the Fiorentina bench only three months after leaving the club, having previously helped the side avoid relegation during the second half of the previous season. He also has a strong connection with Venezia, having guided them to promotion in 2024-25. Fiorentina's decision to change manager so early reflected the pressure created by a poor start after a substantial summer rebuild. Mastantuono's hat-trick immediately gave Vanoli a winning platform and offered the club a much-needed lift after consecutive defeats had left them at the bottom of the table.
Reports question Perri's difficult start at Torino
Lucas Perri's early spell at Torino has reportedly been undermined by costly mistakes in both the Coppa Italia and Serie A. The Brazilian goalkeeper joined from Leeds United on loan with an option to buy worth €16 million, after Torino improved its original proposal when Marseille entered the race for the 28-year-old. Perri's error against Monza contributed to Torino's cup elimination, while he was also criticised for the goal conceded against Fiorentina. Those incidents have created concern about his confidence during the opening weeks of his move to Italy.
According to CaughtOffside, Italian reports have linked Perri's uncertain performances to his lack of regular competitive football at Leeds during the second half of last season. That explanation remains a reported assessment rather than a confirmed club diagnosis, but it places greater attention on Torino's handling of the goalkeeper while he adapts to Serie A. The €16 million purchase option gives the issue longer-term significance: Perri must recover consistency if Torino are to consider making the loan permanent, while every further mistake will increase scrutiny around the decision.