Como’s stunning rise: a 1-0 win in Verona seals the club’s first-ever European spot

Seven years ago, Como played in the fourth division of Italian football. Next season it will compete 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 and is therefore assured of a place in at least the Conference League, because the team cannot finish lower than sixth place. Anastasios Douvikas scored for Como.

The result also left Como just two points behind fourth-placed AC Milan and Roma. Milan lost 3-2 at home to Atalanta, while Roma recorded a dramatic 3-2 victory at Parma.

After this weekend there are still two rounds to go in Serie A.

Como has been making rapid progress since Indonesian tobacco billionaire brothers Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono bought the club in 2019, when it was still in Serie D.

European football 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 role.

Milan were heavily booed during Sunday’s match as hundreds of Rossoneri fans poured out of San Siro after Atalanta went 3-0 up just six minutes after half-time.

Strahinja Pavlovic’s 88th-minute goal for Milan was only the team’s second goal in six games since the end of March.

However, Milan almost pulled off an incredible comeback when Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty in stoppage time after being fouled by Marten de Roon, before Matteo Gabbia headed narrowly past the post.

Milan suffered its fourth defeat in six games.

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Roma scored two goals deep into stoppage time to win a comeback at Parma and boost their hopes of competing in the Champions League.

Roma headed for defeat when Mandela Keita gave Parma a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute.

However, substitute Devyne Rensch equalized in the fourth minute of stoppage time and then won a penalty when he and Parma defender Sascha Britschgi fell to the ground while struggling for the ball.

The referee initially awarded a free kick to Parma. He then reversed his decision based on the video review, showed Britschgi a second yellow card – sending him off – and awarded Roma a penalty, which Donyell Malen converted in the eleventh minute of the stoppages.

Jamie Vardy’s first goal since January set Cremonese on their way to a crucial 3-0 win over bottom club Pisa, who played with nine men for most of the second half.

Already mathematically relegated, Pisa got off to the worst possible start when defender Rosen Bozhinov picked up two yellow cards in the opening 24 minutes and was sent off.

Vardy scored seven minutes later and Federico Bonazzoli doubled Cremonese’s lead early in the second half.

Things got worse for Pisa in the 57th minute when midfielder Felipe Loyola was shown a straight red card for a dangerous two-footed tackle on Giuseppe Pezzella.

David Okereke closed the scoring for Cremonese, who came within a safety point.

Fiorentina and Genoa are now both mathematically safe after a 0-0 draw.

Published on May 11, 2026