Como Claim Impressive 3-1 Win at Fiorentina to Deepen Viola’s Serie A Struggles
Como produced a confident away performance at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, defeating Fiorentina 3-1 in Serie A’s seventh round. Cesc Fabregas’s side struck three times in a lively contest, with Nico Paz starring as both a scorer and creator. The result gives Como 14 points from their opening seven league matches, while Fiorentina remain stuck on four and second from bottom.
The victory is particularly notable given Como’s demanding schedule. The team had just faced Feyenoord in European competition and are preparing to host Manchester United next week. Fabregas responded by rotating his lineup, handing starts to Liberali and Caqueret while balancing the need for fresh legs with the importance of maintaining momentum in the league.
Como Make Their Chances Count in a Fast-Paced First Half
Both teams looked capable of creating danger during an open first half. Fiorentina tried to use home advantage to press forward, while Como remained composed and looked to exploit space when the hosts committed players to attack. The game’s decisive early spell arrived shortly after the half-hour mark, when the visitors scored twice in four minutes.
Liberali opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, registering his first Serie A goal. Fiorentina protested the build-up, arguing that Kempf had fouled Goncalves earlier in the move, but the goal stood. For the young scorer, it was a significant milestone; for Como, it was the reward for a sharp attacking sequence at a moment when the match was finely balanced.
Como quickly doubled their advantage. Four minutes after Liberali’s breakthrough, Nico Paz rose to head home and make it 2-0. The goal underlined the 21-year-old’s influence, as he continued to find space between the lines and contribute to the visitors’ forward play. His performance would become one of the defining features of the match.
Fiorentina Respond, but Disallowed Goal Adds to the Frustration
Fiorentina did not let the two-goal deficit end their challenge. The hosts pushed forward and reduced the gap in the 42nd minute, when Pongracic found the net to make it 2-1. The goal gave the home crowd renewed hope and ensured that the match remained competitive heading into the interval.
Pongracic appeared to score again soon afterwards, raising the prospect of an immediate equaliser. However, the second effort was ruled out for offside. That decision preserved Como’s lead and left Fiorentina with work to do after the break. The home side had shown resilience, but the missed opportunity meant they went into half-time still trailing.
Nico Paz Creates the Goal That Settles the Contest
The second half was less frantic than the opening 45 minutes, with Como increasingly able to manage the tempo. Fiorentina needed to take greater risks in search of an equaliser, but the visitors defended their advantage and remained dangerous whenever they recovered possession.
The key moment arrived in the 56th minute. Paz supplied the pass for Douvikas, who finished to restore Como’s two-goal cushion at 3-1. The goal effectively settled the contest, giving the visitors breathing room and forcing Fiorentina to chase a result against a side that had already shown its ability to punish defensive openings.
Paz was the standout performer, combining a headed goal with the assist for Douvikas. His contribution illustrated why he is becoming such an important player in Fabregas’s system: he can arrive in scoring positions, link attacks and create opportunities for teammates. Como’s ability to find him in dangerous areas was central to their success at the Franchi.
Serie A Prediction and What the Result Means for Both Clubs
For Como, the win strengthens the sense that they can compete effectively in Serie A, even while managing the additional demands of European football. Their 14-point total places them in a promising position after seven rounds, and the performance showed a team capable of adapting its approach: attacking decisively when openings appeared, then controlling the match once ahead.
Fabregas’s rotation also offers an encouraging sign ahead of the club’s next European assignment. Starting Liberali and Caqueret while still earning an important league victory suggests Como have options beyond their first-choice lineup. The challenge now is to maintain that balance as the schedule intensifies, particularly with Manchester United due at the Franchi-like atmosphere of Como’s home ground next week.
Fiorentina, by contrast, face growing pressure. Four points from seven matches leaves them second from bottom, and the margin for error is shrinking. There were positive moments against Como, including Pongracic’s goal and the attacking response after falling behind, but defensive lapses and the disallowed second goal contributed to a frustrating afternoon. The absence of injured former Fiorentina forward Kean also limited the hosts’ options in attack.
Any prediction about Fiorentina’s immediate future depends on how quickly they can turn promising spells into consistent results. Their performance showed they can create chances, but they must improve their organisation and take greater care when opponents transition forward. With the season still young, a recovery remains possible—but the standings make the need for a response increasingly urgent.
Fiorentina 1-3 Como: Match Details
Competition: Serie A, matchday seven
Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi
Scorers: Liberali 32’, Nico Paz 36’, Pongracic 42’, Douvikas 56’
Como leave Florence with three valuable points and a performance built on clinical finishing and Nico Paz’s creativity. Fiorentina showed fight, but their late first-half momentum did not carry into the second period. As the Serie A campaign develops, the result could prove an important marker for Como’s ambitions—and another warning sign for a Fiorentina side searching for stability.
