Como Shatters Records With 9-1 Victory Over Lens
The Italian club becomes the first away team to score nine goals since 1992, with Tasos Douvikas claiming a hat trick.
By Leah Thompson ·
Tasos Douvikas struck three times as Como dismantled Lens 9-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday. The result stands as the largest margin of victory for an away side since the competition adopted its current name in 1992. It matches the overall record for the biggest win in the tournament, previously set by Liverpool and Real Madrid in home matches.
The goal conceded by Como proved to be the most memorable of the night. Ruben Aguilar of Lens fired a long volley from a corner to make the score 7-1 midway through the second half. Cesc Fabregas, the Como coach, noted that the goal came after his team made three substitutions. He also pointed out that Aguilar was a former teammate from their time at Monaco. Fabregas told the striker he had never seen him score such a shot.
Douvikas now leads all Champions League scorers with six goals. He has found the net in all four of Como’s matches in the competition this season. Nico Paz, the Argentine playmaker, added to his tally with a goal and an assist. After scoring Como’s third goal, Paz held up a shirt honoring Jesus de Miguel, a former teammate who died last year. Paz, who was part of the Tenerife youth system where de Miguel also played, has led the tournament with five assists.
The victory marks a historic moment for the club. Como was playing in the fourth division of Italian soccer just seven years ago. This is the first time in the club’s 119-year history that it has qualified for a continental competition. The team currently sits fourth in both the Champions League and Serie A. Coach Fabregas urged his players to remain humble despite the remarkable rise.
Lens, the French Cup winner and last season’s runner-up in Ligue 1, faced a stark contrast to their recent form. They defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the Super Cup in August. However, Como’s performance followed a 4-1 win over Manchester United two weeks prior. The French sports daily L’Equipe labeled the result “Ridiculous” on its front page on Thursday.
Data analytics played a role in Como’s recruitment strategy. The club utilizes Jamestown Analytics, a firm created by Brighton owner Tony Bloom. Como has converted 35% of its shots into goals in the Champions League this season. That efficiency is 11 percentage points higher than any other team in a season on record since 2003-04.
Como prepares for a Serie A match against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Sunday. Fabregas described it as a final sprint before the international break. The club’s next Champions League fixture is against AEK Athens. They will then travel to Spain to face Real Betis before closing the league phase against PSG and Barcelona.
