Italian fortunes in the fourth round of the Champions League phase split dramatically on a night that saw Napoli battered in Portugal while Como rewrote the continental record books in France. DAZN reported that the contrasting European fortunes left Massimiliano Allegri’s squad reeling while Cesc Fàbregas and his soaring side celebrated an unprecedented triumph.
Como Puts Nine Past Lens in Historic Rout
Playing away in France, Como dismantled RC Lens with a staggering 9-1 victory that immediately establishes a new benchmark in European football. According to DAZN, the win marks the largest away victory ever recorded in the history of the Champions League. Ansa notes that the eight-goal margin also equals the largest victory margin in the competition’s history overall, matching Liverpool’s 8-0 home win against Beşiktaş on November 6, 2007, and Real Madrid’s 8-0 defeat of Malmö on December 8, 2015.
Anastasios Douvikas spearheaded the onslaught with a clinical hat-trick, cementing his place at the top of the Champions League scoring charts with six goals. The onslaught also featured goals from Nico Paz, Lucas Da Cunha, Marc Kempf, Mattia Liberali, Martin Baturina, and an appearance by 2008-born midfielder Papaccioli. During the celebrations, Nico Paz chose not to celebrate his first-half goal, instead revealing a shirt bearing a tribute to Jesus de Miguel, the Tenerife striker who recently passed away following a collision during a Spanish second-division match.
Napoli Falters Under Injury Crisis at the Estádio do Dragão
While Como marched up to fourth place in the league phase standings, Napoli faced a grim evening in Porto. Operating with an emergency squad that left coach Massimiliano Allegri with only 13 available players, the Partenopei couldn’t stem the tide against FC Porto. Jan Bednarek opened the scoring for the hosts in the 11th minute before Scott McTominay briefly leveled terms for Napoli just before halftime. However, Porto dominated the second half, adding three more goals through Kiwior and a late penalty from Samu Aghehowa to seal a 4-1 victory.
The defeat leaves both Napoli and Porto level on three points in the standings, while Allegri’s depleted squad must refocus quickly on domestic commitments and European fixtures.
