Como crush Manchester United 4-1 in Champions League

Italian football news

Manchester United endured yet another heavy loss as Cesc Fàbregas’ Como secured an emphatic 4-1 Champions League win over Michael Carrick’s depleted squad. Nico Paz scored a brace, and Anastasios Douvikas plus Jacobo Ramón also got on the scoresheet, capping a dreadful night for the away side.

Joshua Zirkzee netted a late consolation goal, but it barely masked United’s difficulties. Como’s relentless attacking and knack for punishing defensive errors proved crucial, leaving the Italian club sixth in the table while Manchester United dropped to 20th after three fixtures.

Nico Paz puts Como ahead early

Como wasted no time making an impact, with Paz scoring after just three minutes. The Argentine capitalised on Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt sitting too deep inside the box, finding room to slot home a clinical finish and give the hosts the lead.

United could not build any momentum in the first period. Their threadbare defensive and midfield options were exposed as Como pressed with intensity, leaving Carrick’s men lacking the physical strength and calmness required to hit back.

Even after conceding early, Manchester United kept Como from adding to their tally before the break. Still, the visitors showed few signs they could reverse the situation in the second half.

Anastasios Douvikas extends Como’s lead

Carrick tried to alter the game’s direction at the interval, bringing on Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo for Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha. Those changes, though, did not spark the hoped-for reaction, and Como soon ramped up the pressure.

A neat one-touch sequence that started near the halfway line carved out the chance for the hosts’ second goal. Paz played the telling ball to Douvikas, who guided it into the net, leaving Manchester United with a much tougher challenge.

Como kept probing the visitors’ defensive frailties, and United could not find a dependable way to keep their opponents in check. The second goal handed Fàbregas’ side firmer control and left Carrick hunting for solutions.

Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramón pile on the misery for United

Paz grabbed his second of the evening before the hour, making it 3-0 with a cool finish past Senne Lammens. His clever movement opened up the space, and the goalkeeper could not stop another Como goal.

Manchester United’s night got worse when Bruno Fernandes was replaced by Zirkzee on 67 minutes. The captain left the pitch without much complaint as his team failed to produce any real response.

With a quarter of an hour left, Como struck again. Kaiki capitalised on a swift counter, and Maguire along with a rusty De Ligt failed to pick up Ramón, who was left free to convert and make it 4-0.

That fourth goal highlighted the defensive issues that had plagued United all match. Como, for their part, kept making the most of the visitors’ errors and edged closer to a resounding win.

Zirkzee scores as Champions League table takes shape

United finally found the net in the 91st minute when Zirkzee turned in a lofted cross from Amad. The late strike was merely a small consolation after a display in which the visitors had been outclassed for long stretches.

The result moved Como up to sixth in the Champions League standings, edging ahead of Manchester City on goal difference after scoring one more goal. Fàbregas’ team had produced a statement result, while Carrick’s side was left to ponder another frustrating evening.

Manchester United now sit 20th with one win and two losses from their first three games. Their injury troubles made for a difficult backdrop, but Como’s clinical finishing and ability to punish defensive lapses made the gap between the teams plain to see.

Inzaghi emerges as potential replacement for Spalletti at Juventus in 2027-28

Italian football news

As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, former Inter and Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi is among the candidates to take over from Luciano Spalletti on the Juventus bench for the 2027-28 season.

Spalletti is already under pressure following the difficult start to the season for the Bianconeri, who have collected only 11 points in the first seven rounds of Serie A, with three wins, two draws and two defeats.

Several sources claim that Juventus management and ownership are not planning to dismiss Spalletti during the season. The Tuscan coach is tied to the club by a contract expiring in 2028.

However, the club’s position could change if results do not improve in the coming months. In that case, Juventus might opt for an interim coach, with Stefano Pioli and Antonio Conte mentioned as possible mid-season replacements.

If instead Spalletti were to finish the campaign without achieving the minimum objective, namely qualification for the Champions League, the Bianconeri would consider a different profile for the bench.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Simone Inzaghi, currently in charge of Al-Hilal after his experiences with Inter and Lazio, is among the main candidates. The Italian coach is valued for his Serie A experience, his ability to develop players and his understanding of the club’s needs.

During his time at Inter, Inzaghi won the Scudetto in the 2023-24 season, two Coppa Italia titles and three Supercoppa Italiana trophies. He also reached the Champions League final in 2023 and 2025.

Parma 0-3 Torino as Simeone scores twice at the Tardini

Italian football news

Torino secured a dominant 3-0 win against Parma, as Giovanni Simeone netted a brace and Che Adams added another goal, ruining Alberto Gilardino’s first home game in charge of the hosts.

The away side made an instant impact at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, building a two-goal cushion before the half-hour mark. Parma generated chances to get back into the game but could not convert their pressure into goals before Simeone’s second goal sealed the result in the closing stages.

Torino takes control with Simeone’s early goal

Parma came into the match with four points after a 3-0 loss to Inter. Gilardino could not select Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, Pontus Almqvist, and Elphege, who had undergone surgery for appendicitis. Adrián Bernabé returned to midfield, while Giovanni Fabbian was also named in the starting line-up.

Torino arrived after defeating Udinese in their previous match. Ignazio Abate’s team was missing Niccolò Fortini and Emirhan Ilkhan, while Ardian Ismajli replaced Ricardo Rodríguez in defence.

The visitors began aggressively, with Adams seeing an attempt blocked inside the first minute before Saúl Coco headed wide from the ensuing corner. Torino did not have to wait long to turn their pressure into a goal.

In the fourth minute, Rafik Belghali sent a lofted cross into the penalty area, where Simeone produced a left-footed finish into the top corner to give Torino an early lead.

Che Adams doubles Torino’s advantage

Parma had a chance to respond when Pietro Comuzzo headed wide from close range. However, Torino struck again in the 24th minute to tighten their hold on the match.

Simeone saw his shot blocked, but Adams reacted fastest to the loose ball and headed home the rebound. The goal was reviewed by VAR for a possible offside, but the decision stood, leaving Parma two goals down.

The hosts started to create more dangerous opportunities as the first half wore on. Lucas Perri made an excellent diving save to deny David Romero before dealing with headers from Diego Carlos and Fabbian.

Parma came close to pulling one back shortly before the break, but Enrico Delprato failed to hit the target from inside the six-yard box. The missed chance meant Gilardino’s side went into half-time still trailing by two goals.

Parma pressure fails to change the result

Gilardino made two changes at the break, bringing on Dominik Drobnič and Simone Lontani to try to improve Parma’s attacking threat.

The home side continued to push forward. El Bilal Touré sent a header narrowly wide, while Lontani fired over the crossbar. Perri also denied Bernabé and Mariano Troilo as Parma searched for a breakthrough.

Sascha Britschgi received a booking for diving, while Romero later curled an effort just past the far post. Despite the increased pressure, Parma could not find a way past Torino’s defence.

Simeone seals Torino’s 3-0 victory

Torino finally put the contest beyond doubt in the 69th minute, with Simeone completing his brace in spectacular fashion. After collecting Belghali’s headed pass, the striker unleashed a powerful long-range effort that flew into the top corner.

Parma appeared to have found a consolation goal when substitute Matija Frigan finished from Djibril Diallo’s pass. However, a VAR review ruled out the effort for offside, denying the hosts a late reward for their efforts.

Perri then comfortably saved another attempt from Frigan after the substitute’s solo run, ensuring Torino maintained their clean sheet. Simeone’s double and Adams’ first-half header ultimately secured a comprehensive away win and left Gilardino without a positive result in his first home match in charge of Parma.