Como inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat on Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League league phase on Wednesday, with Argentine midfielder Nico Paz scoring twice and providing an assist in a dominant display at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
Paz opened the scoring in the second minute with a curling left-footed effort from the edge of the box. Anastasios Douvikas doubled the lead four minutes after half-time, finishing a through ball from Paz. The Argentine then added a third in the 57th minute after intercepting a pass from substitute Carlos Baleba and driving into the area to slot home. Centre-back Jacobo Ramón headed in a fourth in the 76th minute from a Kaiki Bruno cross. Joshua Zirkzee scored a stoppage-time consolation for United from an Amad Diallo delivery.
The result leaves United with one win from three Champions League matches and extends their winless run in all competitions to seven games, increasing pressure on head coach Michael Carrick.
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle, commentating early in the match, praised Paz’s opener. “It’s a hell of a goal, it really is,” Hoddle said. “Why are the two centre backs so deep? Harry Maguire is too deep, and [Paz] just opens his body up and whips it in that top corner.”
He also noted Como’s control: “When Como are in possession they always have a spare man… Whereas when United are in possession they are struggling to find one pass.”
Carrick had spoken positively before kick-off about facing the Italian side’s possession style and the return of defender Matthijs de Ligt from injury. “That’s the beauty of football. Different styles that you come up against every week and you have to adapt to it,” he said. “We trust our shape, we trust our coordination.”
Como, managed by Cesc Fàbregas and in their debut Champions League campaign, moved to six points from three matches with the victory. United remain on three points.
