Como’s stunning rise: A 1-0 win at Verona seals the club’s first-ever European spot
Seven years ago, Como was playing in the fourth division of Italian soccer. Como won 1-0 at Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday to guarantee a spot in at least the Conference League as it can't finish lower than sixth. Anastasios Douvikas scored for Como.
MILAN (AP) — Seven years ago, Como was playing in the fourth division of Italian soccer. Next season it will be competing in Europe for the first time in its 119-year history. And that could even be the Champions League.
Como won 1-0 at Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday to guarantee a spot in at least the Conference League as it can't finish lower than sixth. Anastasios Douvikas scored for Como. The result also left Como just two points behind fourth-place AC Milan, which was playing Atalanta later.
Roma was level on points with Milan after snatching a dramatic 3-2 win at Parma. There are two rounds remaining in Serie A after this weekend. Como is making rapid progress since Indonesian tobacco billionaire brothers Roberto Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono purchased the club in 2019, when it was in Serie D.
European soccer could prove enough to keep coach Cesc Fabregas at the club, with bigger teams across Europe reportedly interested in the 39-year-old, who has impressed in his first managerial position. Dramatic finale Roma scored two goals deep in stoppage time to snatch a comeback win at Parma and boost its hopes of getting into the Champions League. Roma was heading for defeat when Mandela Keita gave Parma a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute.