"Manchester United" lost crushingly to a Champions League debutant
English "Manchester United" suffered a crushing defeat to Italian "Como" in the third round of the Champions League league phase. The match, held on October 21 at the "Giuseppe Sinigaglia" stadium in Italy, ended with a 4:1 score in favor of the hosts. For the English club, this became their seventh consecutive match without a win in all competitions.
This was reported by The Guardian. The result was also published on the official UEFA website.
The Italian club, which is playing in the Champions League for the first time this season, opened the scoring as early as the second minute. Argentine midfielder Nico Paz received the ball near the penalty area and sent it into the far corner of Senne Lammens' goal with an accurate shot.
After conceding the goal, "Manchester United" tried to improve their attacking play, but the hosts continued to control the match and create dangerous chances. The teams went into the break with "Como" holding a narrow lead.
In the second half, the Italian team scored three more goals. In the 49th minute, Anastasios Douvikas doubled the advantage after a pass from Nico Paz. Eight minutes later, the Argentine completed his brace, making it 3:0.
In the 76th minute, defender Jacobo Ramon scored the fourth goal with a header after a cross from Caique Bruno. The English team managed to respond only in stoppage time: Joshua Zirkzee reduced the deficit to three goals.
One of the main heroes of the match was 22-year-old Nico Paz, who recorded two goals and an assist.
For "Manchester United", this defeat was one of the heaviest in European competitions since 1994. Back then, the English club lost to Spanish "Barcelona" 0:4.
As BBC Sport notes, "Manchester United" became the first English team to concede a goal within the first two minutes in two consecutive matches in major European competitions. A week earlier, the team conceded an early goal in a lost match against Madrid's "Atletico".
Head coach of the English club Michael Carrick apologized to the fans after the defeat and admitted that the team did not show the required level of play. The setback intensified discussions about his possible dismissal.
At the same time, "Manchester United" faced serious squad problems: due to injuries, illnesses and suspensions, the coaching staff could not count on nine players.
For "Como", coached by former "Arsenal" and "Barcelona" midfielder Cesc Fabregas, the victory was one of the biggest achievements in the club's history. Just a few years ago, the team played in the lower divisions of Italian football, and now they have beaten a three-time winner of the Champions League.
After three rounds of the league phase, "Como" has six points, while "Manchester United" has three. The English club's next Champions League match will be on November 3 at home against Italian "Roma", and "Como" will play away against French "Lens" on November 4.
