Assane Diao Scores as Como Thrash Leipzig in Champions League Debut
Como opened their first Champions League campaign with a statement 4-1 home win over Leipzig, with 21-year-old forward Diao marking his debut in the competition with a goal he had imagined since childhood.
Como make a historic European start
- Como arrived for their maiden match in Europe’s leading club competition after a domestic victory over Genoa, a result that had already left Diao anticipating the Champions League anthem.
- The hosts showed little sign of nerves on the occasion, producing an assertive attacking performance against Leipzig.
- Martin Baturina, Tasos Douvikas and Maxi Perrone joined Diao on the scoresheet as Como built an emphatic four-goal victory.
- Leipzig’s Andrija Maksimovic pulled one back after Como made an unusual error while attempting to play out from the back, but the setback did not alter the result or the mood inside the stadium.
- The final 4-1 scoreline left Como as the only Italian club to take three points from Champions League Matchday 1.
Diao’s long-awaited night
Diao had turned 21 on Monday, making his goal against Leipzig a belated birthday gift. It was also an important moment after a difficult spell since his 2025 arrival at Como, when a fractured foot and then a thigh injury limited his opportunities.
“Every child dreams of this,” Diao said. “I have watched Champions League matches all my life. After the Genoa game, I was already thinking about hearing the music, and it was wonderful when it happened. We all have to dream; that is the greatest thing in life. I dreamed of this and it became real.”
He added that Como could not have hoped for a better beginning: “To win our first Champions League match, we could not ask for more. We are happy with the result, the performance and the happiness of our supporters.”
Italian results on Matchday 1
Como’s success stood apart from the other Italian sides in action. Inter and Napoli were both beaten, while Roma left Fenerbahce with a 1-1 draw. Como will now aim to take the confidence generated by their Leipzig win into their next Serie A and Champions League fixtures.
