Como secured UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in the club’s history after defeating 10-man Cremonese 4-1 on the final day of the Serie A season.
Cesc Fabregas’ side sealed fourth place following the victory, while AC Milan’s 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari opened the door for Como to move into the top four. The result also confirmed Cremonese’s relegation to Serie B.
Fabregas hailed the achievement after guiding the club into Europe’s elite competition just two seasons after returning to the Italian top flight.
“It’s up there with all my achievements for how it was done and with whom we did it, because we did it with very young players, almost all of them are under 23 years old. That’s amazing,” said former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Fabregas, 39.
Como complete historic rise
Como took control of the match through goals from Jesus Rodriguez and Tasos Douvikas before Jamie Vardy won a penalty that Federico Bonazzoli converted for Cremonese.
The contest turned tense in the second half after Como were awarded a disputed penalty, sparking protests from the home side.
Midfielder Alberto Grassi received a straight red card for dissent, while substitutes Milan Djuric and David Okereke were also sent off from the bench.
Lucas da Cunha later added Como’s fourth goal to complete a landmark victory for the club, which was playing in Italy’s third division as recently as 2019.
The lakeside side finished fourth, two points behind Roma, who secured third place with a 2-0 victory over already relegated Hellas Verona.
Roma return to Champions League
Roma sealed their return to the Champions League for the first time since 2019 after comfortably beating Hellas Verona on the final day.
The victory ensured Gian Piero Gasperini’s men finished third in the table and capped a strong campaign under the American Friedkin family ownership.
Roma had not featured in Europe’s elite competition since their last-16 exit to Porto seven years ago, making the qualification a major achievement for the club.
Their win, combined with Milan’s defeat and Como’s victory, also confirmed Juventus would miss out on the Champions League places.
Milan collapse, Juventus miss out
AC Milan began the day in third place and looked on course for Champions League qualification after Alexis Saelemaekers scored early against Cagliari.
However, goals from Gennaro Borrelli and Juan Rodriguez turned the game around and condemned Milan to defeat at San Siro.
The loss dropped Milan out of the top four and into the Europa League places.
Juventus also missed out on Champions League qualification after results elsewhere went against them before their delayed derby clash with Torino.
The Turin derby was pushed back by more than an hour for “public safety” reasons after a Juventus supporter was hospitalised following clashes between rival fans.
Luciano Spalletti’s side needed a win and favourable results elsewhere to reach the top four, but victories for Roma and Como ended those hopes before half-time in Turin.
Juventus eventually drew 2-2 with Torino after Dusan Vlahovic gave them a two-goal advantage. Cesare Casadei and Che Adams scored to rescue a point for Torino.
The draw confirmed Juventus will play in the Europa League next season alongside Milan.
