What Happened
Como is about to write a historic new chapter in club history by making its very first appearance in the UEFA Champions League. This marks the club's maiden European campaign of any kind, turning the Italian side into the 16th different team from Italy to ever feature in the prestigious European Cup or Champions League.
Standing in their debut path is RB Leipzig, a German side looking to reverse a difficult run of form on the continental stage.
Why It Matters
The fixture brings together two fascinating figures in the technical areas. Como is managed by former midfield maestro Cesc Fàbregas, who boasts 104 Champions League appearances as a player for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea. On the opposing bench, RB Leipzig head coach Martín Demichelis brings his own extensive pedigree of 67 matches in the competition as a player.
Fàbregas and Demichelis previously crossed paths on the pitch back in February 2014, when Demichelis started for Manchester City in a defeat against Fàbregas's Barcelona. Now, the two managers lock horns from the sidelines in a high-stakes European showdown.
Important Context
RB Leipzig enters the match carrying heavy defensive baggage. The German club lost seven of their eight group-stage fixtures during the 2024-25 campaign and are currently enduring a brutal 18-game streak without a clean sheet in the competition. Furthermore, Leipzig has dropped five of their last six away Champions League matches, including four consecutive losses on the road.
Meanwhile, Como boasts a dangerous attacking weapon in Moise Kean. Despite starting only six Champions League matches in his career, Kean has been exceptionally productive, racking up five goals and one assist in those games.
History also favors debut opponents when facing Leipzig in opening fixtures. The only other side to square off against RB Leipzig in their debut Champions League match was Istanbul Basaksehir in October 2020, though the Turkish side fell 2-0 on that occasion. Como will look to write a different ending as they step onto European football's biggest stage.
