Como reignited their Serie A top-four challenge with a commanding 2-0 away victory over Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Saturday. Goals from Anastasios Douvikas and Ibrahima Diao secured a vital three points for Cesc Fabregas's side, moving them to 61 points and within two of fourth-placed Juventus, pending the latter's result.
Douvikas opened the scoring after just ten minutes, meeting a perfect cross from Matheus Da Cunha to head past Genoa goalkeeper Justin Bijlow for his twelfth league goal of the season. The visitors controlled the tempo thereafter and sealed the win in the 68th minute when Diao headed home from a Maxence Caqueret flick, following a driving run from Brahim Baturina. The result ends a run of three consecutive defeats for Como and pulls them level on points with fifth-placed Roma.
According to match reports, Como's superiority was evident throughout, with Genoa's experimental lineup, which included midfielder Amorim and defender Otoa from the start, struggling to match their opponent's intensity. Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi shifted to a back four, but his team created few clear chances, with Vitinha missing their best opportunity in the first half after a mistake from Como keeper Butez.
The win marks Como's eighth away victory of the season and keeps their unexpected quest for UEFA Champions League football firmly alive with just four matches remaining. For a club only recently promoted, this sustained challenge represents a remarkable achievement under the guidance of Fabregas. The defeat is a minor setback for a Genoa side that remains comfortably clear of the relegation zone, their primary objective for the season already secured.
The context of Como's campaign adds significant weight to this result. Having invested ambitiously following their promotion, the club's project, spearheaded by Fabregas in his first full managerial role, now faces its most critical phase. Key contributions from loanees like Nico Paz, who started but was substituted due to an eye issue, and the consistent Da Cunha have been instrumental. The team's ability to bounce back immediately from a poor run of form demonstrates a resilience that will be essential in the final weeks.
For Genoa, the match served as an opportunity to experiment with an eye on next season, but the gulf in quality on the day was apparent. The focus for De Rossi will now shift to planning for the summer transfer window to build a squad capable of a more comfortable mid-table finish. Como, meanwhile, faces a tense run-in, with their destiny in their own hands as they aim to cap a fairy-tale season with a place among Europe's elite.
