Como's Historic Rise: European Football Beckons for the First Time

For the first time in its history, Como will play in a European competition. The club secured this landmark achievement with a 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona in the 36th round of Serie A, a result that guarantees them at least a spot in the UEFA Conference League for the 2026-2027 season.

Greek striker Anastasios Douvikas scored the only goal of the match in the 71st minute, capitalizing on a defensive error inside the penalty area. The three points were enough to push Como into fifth place in the league standings, one point ahead of Roma and just two points behind AC Milan, with two games remaining in the season.

From Fourth Division to Europe

Como’s rise is one of Italian football’s most remarkable success stories in recent years. Under the guidance of Spanish coach Cesc Fàbregas, the club has climbed from the fourth tier of Italian football to a European qualification berth in just seven seasons. Their journey began in 2019 in Serie D, followed by promotion to Serie C in 2021, then to Serie B in 2024, and finally to Serie A in 2024, culminating in this historic European berth in 2026.

Match Details and Key Moments

The match saw a strong start from the home side, Hellas Verona, who pressed early and created several dangerous chances. French goalkeeper Jean Butez made crucial saves to keep Como in the game, while a Verona goal was disallowed for offside. In the second half, Como gradually took control before Douvikas struck the winner. A late equalizer for Verona was also ruled out after a lengthy VAR review, sparking protests from the home players.

“We are writing history,” said Fàbregas, whose tactical acumen has been a major surprise of the Serie A season, building a competitive side that has returned the club to the European stage for the first time.

Como’s rapid ascent has been a standout narrative in Italian football, with Fàbregas’s work widely praised as one of the season’s biggest surprises.