Lens 1-9 Como.
Yes, you read that right.
Cesc Fabregas’ team followed up their 4-1 thumping of Manchester United on MD3 of the Champions League with a rout for the ages on Wednesday, as they absolutely trounced Lens.
It equalled the biggest margin of victory in Champions League history, matching an 8-0 win for Liverpool over Besiktas in 2007, and Real Madrid’s 8-0 thrashing of Malmo in 2015.
But Liverpool and Madrid are European heavyweights. They are used to making Champions League history.
Como, it’s safe to say, are not.
But the last few years have been historic for the club, whose stadium sits right on the banks of the beautiful Lake Como in northern Italy; within an hour of Milan, it is the kind of place you’d want to live and work — if I were a footballer, I’d definitely be pushing my agent for a move to such an idyllic location.
Como got themselves back into Serie A in 2024, finishing second in Serie B.
That was when Fabregas, who had been working within the club’s front office structure but had previously had an interim spell in charge, was given the coaching job on a full-time basis.
Mirwan Suwarso heads things up, and with his support, Fabregas has built a youthful, exciting squad, built on talents such as Nico Paz, Lucas Da Cunha and Assane Diao, and then supplemented with experience
Paz is the obvious superstar.
Signed from Madrid, the Argentine has established himself as one of the best young players in world football.
Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Paz has contributed to 48 goals (23 assists, 25 goals) for Como. Among Serie A players in that time, only Inter duo Marcus Thuram (56) and Lautaro Martinez (62) have more direct goal involvements.
Paz is destined for the top, but he is thriving at Como for now. Tasos Douvikas is leading the line superbly, and De Cunha is a driving force and Jacobo Ramon has been superb at the back.
Four games into Como’s first European campaign, they sit fourth, behind holders Paris Saint-Germain, heavyweights Madrid and Premier League champions Arsenal.
“I’m happy – everything went our way. The lads did well; now we have to prepare for a very important match on Sunday, the ninth one between the international breaks,” said Fabregas.
“When I saw the last two games were PSG and Barcelona, I thought we needed to get as many points as possible in the early fixtures.
“Nothing is impossible, but these are two teams who are superior to the rest.
“There is a long way to go. Those games are in the last two weeks of January, so all I am focused on is recovering the injured players, because we are missing so many, in attack especially.”
They are fourth in Serie A, too, five points behind leaders Inter.
Como should be an example for every smaller club in Europe at just what can be achieved with a vision, proper backing and a method of how to get there.
Fabregas, meanwhile, will likely be in the sights of all of Europe’s top sides, just like playmaker Paz.
But for now, we should all just enjoy the show Como are putting on, because it’s delightful.