Nico Paz shines as Como beats Sassuolo 2-0 in Serie A’s unbeaten run, with the Real Madrid loanee Nico Paz claiming Player of the Match honours after orchestrating a clinical victory that stretched the Lariani’s remarkable streak to 11 matches and propelled them into serious European contention under Cesc Fabregas.
The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, nestled on the shimmering shores of Lake Como with its alpine backdrop, erupted in jubilation on Friday night as Fabregas’s charges dismantled a resilient Sassuolo side in a fixture that showcased the hosts’ growing maturity in Italy’s top flight.
Anastasios Douvikas broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, latching onto a pinpoint through-ball from Paz before rifling a low drive past Arijanet Muric into the bottom corner, his third goal of the campaign silencing the 12,000-strong crowd momentarily before igniting it into a frenzy.
Sassuolo, newly promoted and sitting comfortably in mid-table, pushed back valiantly, with Domenico Berardi’s mazy runs testing Como’s backline, but Jean Butez stood firm, tipping Nemanja Matic’s thunderous effort around the post in a moment that epitomised the hosts’ defensive resolve.
The second half belonged entirely to Paz, the 20-year-old Argentine sensation whose vision and tenacity have transformed Como’s midfield into a Serie A powerhouse.
In the 53rd minute, he ghosted past two markers on the left flank, feinting inside before whipping a delicious curling cross to the back post where Alberto Moreno rose unmarked to nod home his first goal since joining from Villarreal.
That assist marked Paz’s fifth of the season, levelling him with his goal tally and placing him atop the league’s charts for direct contributions from attackers – a statistic that has Fabregas beaming about his summer coup from Real Madrid’s Castilla side.
Paz nearly added a personal flourish minutes later, unleashing an audacious overhead kick that Muric clawed away, while his 17.2 shots per game average this term underscores his relentless hunger.
Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Barcelona maestro now thriving in his first full managerial role, lauded his team’s composure post-match.
“We came here as underdogs last season, but tonight we played like contenders,” the Spaniard told DAZN, his eyes alight with the passion that defined his playing days.
“Nico is special; he’s got that X-factor, the one that turns games. This win isn’t just three points – it’s belief.” Como’s record now reads five wins and six draws from 13 outings, conceding just seven goals en route to sixth place, only three points shy of leaders Roma and firmly in the mix for Champions League spots – a far cry from their Serie B promotion playoff triumph just 18 months ago.
For Sassuolo, the defeat snapped a four-game unbeaten away streak and exposed vulnerabilities under Fabio Grosso, whose side slipped to ninth despite collecting 10 points from six road trips.
Berardi, substituted just before the opener with discomfort, remains their talisman with seven goals, but the Neroverdi mustered only 10.6 shots per game on average, mustering little against Como’s compact 4-2-3-1 that suffocated their transitions.
Grosso rued missed opportunities: “We created chances, but their keeper was immense. Credit to Como – they’re a machine right now.” Injuries to Yeferson Paz and Edoardo Pieragnolo further hampered the visitors, who now face a stern test against Pisa next weekend.
Paz’s ascent has been meteoric since his €6 million move in July, a deal hailed as a masterstroke by Como’s ambitious ownership group, backed by former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s Heartland Group.
The son of ex-Real Madrid defender Pablo Paz, Nico burst onto the scene with a debut assist against Torino and has since tallied goals against Juventus and Lazio, his curling strike in the Derby d’Italia drawing comparisons to a young Ángel Di María.
Off the pitch, the Buenos Aires native has endeared himself to Como’s tifosi with his humility, often spotted training extra hours by the lake or sampling local risotto at family-run trattorias.
Real Madrid supporters, meanwhile, debate a recall clause, but Fabregas insists, “He’s ours for now, and he’s loving every minute.”
This result not only cements Como’s credentials as Serie A’s surprise package – unbeaten in 12 across all competitions – but also highlights the league’s competitive renaissance, where promoted sides like Como and Sassuolo challenge the old guard.
With fixtures against Bologna and Napoli looming, Fabregas’s project, infused with veterans like Moreno and Morata alongside youth like Paz, eyes history. As the Sinigaglia faithful chanted “Nico! Nico!” into the Lombard night, one truth rang clear: in the shadow of the Alps, a new star is illuminating Italy’s grand old stage, one visionary pass at a time.
