Como welcome RB Leipzig for historic Champions League debut at Stadio Sinigaglia

Como will play their first-ever Champions League match when they host RB Leipzig at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Thursday, completing a remarkable rise from Serie D to Europe’s leading club competition.

The Italian club only returned to Serie A two years ago, but a fourth-place finish last season secured their first qualification for any UEFA competition. Their progress has been accelerated by significant investment from Como’s wealthy owners, and Cesc Fabregas’ side now face a Leipzig team who reached the Champions League semi-finals six years ago.

Como finished last season strongly, winning four of their final five league matches to claim a place in the top four ahead of established heavyweights AC Milan and Juventus. Their achievement was all the more notable given that they were still playing in Serie D in 2019.

Fabregas, who made 104 Champions League appearances as a player, also guided Como to their first Coppa Italia semi-final. They were narrowly beaten over two legs by eventual winners Inter Milan after conceding late in the second leg at San Siro.

Como have continued to make an impression in the opening part of this campaign. Only Inter have collected more points in the current calendar year, while Como have also won away at both Napoli and Genoa.

The club have been Serie A’s biggest spenders since 2024 and have assembled a squad packed with attacking options. Nico Paz is expected to provide creativity, while Tasos Douvikas was the team’s leading scorer last season after finding the net 14 times in Serie A. Como also had the division’s best defence last term, keeping 19 clean sheets.

Their ambitions are considerable, and the Italian side will hope to make a stronger start to European competition than fellow newcomers Sabah, LASK and Viking.

Leipzig return after a season away

Leipzig are entering their eighth Champions League campaign since first appearing in the group stage nine years ago. Their most recent involvement was a major disappointment, however, as they finished 32nd in the 2024-25 league phase with seven defeats and only one victory.

The German side are back among Europe’s elite after finishing third in the Bundesliga last season. That result was not enough to save Ole Werner’s job, with Martin Demichelis now in charge.

Demichelis is taking charge of a team at this level for the first time, although he played 67 Champions League matches for Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Malaga. He also faced Fabregas when City lost to Barcelona.

Leipzig opened the new season with victories over Eintracht Trier in the German Cup and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, but they suffered a 3-1 defeat by Werder Bremen last week.

That result offers little reassurance before a difficult trip to Como’s lakeside ground. Leipzig have earned only one point from their past six away Champions League matches.

Como’s recent form in all competitions is listed as draw, win, win, while Leipzig’s is win, win, defeat.

Both clubs strengthened their squads ahead of the league phase. Como’s most notable addition may be Italy striker Moise Kean, who scored five goals and supplied one assist in his previous six Champions League appearances.

Kean made his Como debut as a substitute in Friday’s 4-1 win over Genoa, although Douvikas remains the current number nine. He has already scored twice this season after his 14 Serie A goals last term.

Paz has previously played a handful of minutes in the Champions League with Real Madrid, but this campaign should give him the chance to establish himself on the European stage. Martin Baturina and Assane Diao are also expected to operate in the final third.

Como are expected to be close to full strength. Their only long-term absentee is Jayden Addai, and the club will finally return to the Stadio Sinigaglia after beginning the season with three away fixtures while the ground was brought up to UEFA standards.

Leipzig will be without Rocco Reitz, Romulo and Christoph Baumgartner. The latter scored a personal-best 17 goals in all competitions last season.

Brajan Gruda and Assan Ouedraogo are doubts. Leipzig have recently added Spanish forward Marc Guiu from Chelsea, while Christopher Nkunku has returned on loan from AC Milan.

Antonio Nusa remains an important wide threat despite Yan Diomande leaving during the summer. Nusa scored on his Champions League debut for Club Bruges at the age of 17.

Predicted line-ups

Como: Butez; Couto, Chalobah, Ramon, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.

RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; El Aynaoui, Seiwald, Banzuzi; Bakayoko, Nkunku, Nusa.

Leipzig’s squad contains more established Champions League experience, but Como have developed into an exceptionally well-organised team under Fabregas. Their return to their home ground after several weeks travelling across Italy could provide an additional lift.

Prediction: Como not to lose and fewer than 3.5 goals – 2.00.

Other suggested bets are Nico Paz to be decisive – 2.00, and Moise Kean or Christopher Nkunku to score – 1.70.

Como have the opportunity to mark their first European night with a victory.