When Manchester United savoured the last of their three Champions League triumphs in 2008, Como were a Serie D club, playing in one of nine semi-professional regional leagues.
On Wednesday, at a rainy but picturesque Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on the banks of the iconic Lake Como, the Serie A outfit showed how far they have come.
In fact, on the evidence of their 4-1 thrashing of the English side – and with progressive coach Cesc Fabregas in the dugout – you could argue the European newcomers have leapfrogged the Old Trafford outfit and then some.
Time and again, Fabregas’ side sliced through United – who are now winless in their past seven games in all competitions for the first time since 2015.
At the heart of Fabregas’ team is the brilliant Nico Paz, signed from Real Madrid in 2024, who scored twice and set up another.
Since the start of September, the 22-year-old Tenerife-born Argentina international has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Serie A player.
“It was a historic night because we played against one of the best teams ever, to do this at home is incredible, we are very happy for our performance,” said Paz.
Wednesday’s superb showing took him to nine goal involvements in eight appearances – four goals and five assists – he is also the youngest Argentine player to be involved in three goals in one Champions League game since Lionel Messi against Bayern Munich in April 2009.
“Paz really runs, he covers a lot of ground. He’s melded the old-school Argentine creative number 10 style with the physical demands of modern football,” said journalist Lars Sivertsen on Champions League Match of the Day.
For Como, this is the most high-profile victory since their project began.
“It’s Manchester United. We are only just getting our heads around the fact we are playing Inter, Milan and Juventus,” said one member of staff.
“This is without doubt the biggest night in the club’s history.”
