Serie A Daily Report - 2026-10-22: Como deepen Manchester United crisis with historic Champions League victory

Como beat Manchester United 4-1 on Wednesday, October 21, in the Champions League at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Nico Paz scored twice, while Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also found the net before Joshua Zirkzee claimed a late consolation. The result represented the most prestigious victory in Como’s history and continued their remarkable rise from Italy’s amateur fourth tier to European competition. Paz opened the scoring after 118 seconds, giving Como an early advantage they never surrendered as Cesc Fàbregas’ side repeatedly exposed United’s defensive and tactical weaknesses.

Fàbregas said he regretted instructing his players to reduce the tempo after Como moved four goals ahead, allowing United to score late. The victory nevertheless strengthened the coach’s standing and gave Como another major European statement after their fourth-place Serie A finish last season. The club now turn towards Saturday’s league trip to Sassuolo, with the challenge of maintaining domestic momentum after an emotionally significant night. Paz’s performance also increased attention on a player who has emerged as one of Como’s most influential attacking figures.

AC Milan lost 3-0 to Bournemouth on Thursday, October 22, in the Europa League at the Vitality Stadium. Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier converted first-half penalties before Amine Adli added a late free-kick, while Milan goalkeeper and captain Mike Maignan was dismissed after 27 minutes for striking James Hill. Ruben Amorim’s side therefore played for more than an hour with 10 men and struggled to cope with Bournemouth’s pressing, movement and attacking intensity in difficult conditions on the south coast.

The defeat contrasted sharply with Milan’s unbeaten start in Serie A, where they had won four and drawn three of their opening seven matches under Amorim. Bournemouth manager Marco Rose said his team would “stay humble” after what he described as a major night for the club and its supporters. Milan’s European campaign now carries a different complexion, with Maignan’s dismissal and the scale of the performance likely to dominate discussion before the Rossoneri return to domestic action.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said on Thursday that the club was not for sale. His comments followed reports that he had met Matt Rizzetta, an Italian-American businessman and majority stakeholder in Napoli Basket, reigniting speculation about a possible change of ownership. De Laurentiis said he had previously rejected an offer of €3.5 billion and stated that he still wanted to remain involved with Napoli. The remarks provided a direct response to renewed reports surrounding the club’s ownership while the team works through a difficult start to the Serie A season.

De Laurentiis also said that, if he eventually sold Napoli, he would prefer a buyer from Naples rather than an American owner. The statement placed emphasis on local identity at a club whose supporters have long attached particular importance to the city’s connection with the team. Napoli had taken 10 points from seven league matches and sat ninth after losing 1-0 at Venezia, making the ownership discussion another backdrop to a season already carrying significant sporting pressure.

Napoli forward Giovane said the team could beat Roma on Saturday after their Champions League victory over Bodø/Glimt. Speaking ahead of the Serie A fixture, the Brazilian argued that Tuesday’s 4-3 win could change the mood around Massimiliano Allegri’s side after a difficult opening to the campaign. Napoli had collected their first Champions League points by defeating Bodø/Glimt, but the result followed a 1-0 loss at Venezia that left them ninth in Serie A with 10 points from seven matches, their poorest start in 17 years.

Roma arrive at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in third place, seven points above Napoli, giving the match importance for both the table and the home side’s confidence. Giovane acknowledged Roma’s technical quality but said Napoli were also strong and wanted to win for themselves and their supporters. A victory would provide Allegri’s team with a chance to convert the European lift into league momentum, while another setback would leave the early-season pressure intact.

Inter Milan sporting director Dario Baccin attended Monza’s recent league match against Cagliari to watch Southampton loanee Jay Robinson, according to reports. The 19-year-old midfielder had scored twice in five Serie A appearances, including during Monza’s club-record 4-0 victory over Cagliari at the weekend. Robinson joined Monza on a season-long loan after making his Southampton senior debut and signing a contract that runs until June 2029. His performances have therefore begun attracting attention beyond the club where he is gaining regular senior experience.

Robinson described Serie A football as “more like a chess game” and said adapting to its tactical demands had been daunting initially. His two goals had also placed him among only two English teenagers to score twice in one of Europe’s top five leagues this season, according to the report. Ivan Juric’s presence as Monza manager has offered continuity because he previously worked with Robinson at Southampton. Inter’s reported observation suggests the youngster’s development is being monitored by one of Italy’s leading clubs.

Atalanta included youth-team defender Relja Obric in their starting line-up for Thursday’s Conference League meeting with Ajax. The selection came after injuries continued to affect Maurizio Sarri’s squad, with Sead Kolasinac joining Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, Franck Kessie, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Giacomo Raspadori on the treatment table. Obric had made his senior debut only days earlier, highlighting the depth issues facing Atalanta as they balanced European commitments with Serie A fixtures.

Gianluca Scamacca was selected to lead the attack, supported by Charles De Ketelaere, Nicola Zalewski and Eljif Elmas, while Gianluca Gaetano moved into midfield alongside Ederson. Atalanta had beaten Venezia 3-1 in the league and Pafos by the same score in their opening Conference League match before losing 3-2 to Milan on Sunday. The Ajax fixture therefore offered Sarri an opportunity to regain momentum, but the defensive absences left limited alternatives across the back line.