Sassuolo defeated Como 2-1, ending Como's Champions League aspirations. Cristian Volpato and M’Bala Nzola scored for Sassuolo, while Como struggled after a recent defeat to Inter.
Key points
Sassuolo won 2-1 against Como
Cristian Volpato and M’Bala Nzola scored for Sassuolo
Como's Champions League aspirations ended
Como rotated their squad after a recent defeat
Alvaro Morata was given a rare start for Como
SassuoloComo
Serie A | Sassuolo 2-1 Como: Grosso destroys Fabregas dream
Serie A | Sassuolo 2-1 Como: Grosso destroys Fabregas dream
Sassuolo cause an upset with a quickfire double of counter-attacks from Cristian Volpato and M’Bala Nzola, as Como see the Champions League dream slip away.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – APRIL 17: Fans of Como 1907 display a banner reading ‘Sorry guys, we were at work’, during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Como 1907 at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sassuolo had a huge chance within 20 seconds, as Kristian Thorstvedt’s finish from the edge of the area was deflected just wide by Jacobo Ramon.
Thorstvedt was also brought down just outside the area by Ramon for a yellow card, Armand Laurienté seeing his resulting free kick palmed out from under the bar.
Alberto Moreno sliding in at the back post just failed to connect with a Nico Paz cross, while Turati scrambled to fingertip a Nico Paz snooker shot round the base of the upright.
Como were caught totally unbalanced on their corner kick, as Laurienté sent M’Bala Nzola on the counter-attack and his slide-rule pass found Cristian Volpato for a delightful lob from distance.
Barely two minutes later, Sassuolo repeated the trick, as this time Nzola ran onto the Laurienté through ball and finished it himself, beating the on-rushing Butez from inside the area for his first Serie A goal in the Neroverdi shirt.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – APRIL 17: M’Bala Nzola of US Sassuolo Calcio is challenged by Alvaro Morata of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Como 1907 at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
However, Como got one back with the last kick of the half, as Nico Paz sent a looping, swerving header from Ivan Smolcic’s cross into the far from corner from just inside the box.
Cesc Fabregas made a triple change at the break, but Como had a huge chance to equalise on 69 minutes. Nico Paz gathered a ball over the top, flicked it around Woyo Coulibaly and went for the lob from a tricky angle, but Turati scrambled across to claw it off the line with Morata ready to bundle over from a yard.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – APRIL 17: Nico Paz of Como 1907 looks on during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Como 1907 at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
