On a night when most expected Napoli’s Coppa Italia experience and home advantage to shine through, it was Cesc Fabregas’ Como who delivered a performance for the ages, stunning the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona faithful and booking their place in the semi-finals after a nerve-shredding penalty shootout. For Napoli, the defeat was a bitter pill, compounded by a mounting injury list and a sense of injustice over key refereeing decisions. For Como, it was a moment of history—one that will be talked about by Lariani supporters for decades to come.
Heading into the quarter-final clash on February 10, 2026, the odds were stacked against the visitors. Napoli, boasting a far superior squad in both depth and Serie A pedigree, were widely tipped to progress. Predictive models gave the home side a 68–75% chance of victory, with Como’s win probability languishing between 8% and 13%. The bookmakers’ safe tip was a Napoli win, while the high-risk play—Como to qualify—seemed a long shot at best. But football, as ever, has a way of defying expectations.
Napoli’s lineup, though strong on paper, was missing several key figures. Scott McTominay, who had scored in the dramatic 3-2 win over Genoa just days earlier, was sidelined with a recurring inflammation. Other absentees included David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, and Kevin De Bruyne, forcing coach Antonio Conte to reshuffle his pack. The returning Vanja Milinkovic-Savic slotted back into goal, while January signing Giovane joined Rasmus Hojlund and Antonio Vergara in a youthful attacking trident. Eljif Elmas dropped into midfield to fill the void left by McTominay.
Como, meanwhile, arrived in Naples rested and ready, their weekend Serie A fixture against Milan postponed due to San Siro’s preparations for the Winter Olympics. Under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, the Lariani have been Serie A’s surprise package, already holding Napoli to a 0-0 draw in the league earlier this season. Their lineup featured Butez in goal; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, and Valle at the back; Perrone and Sergi Roberto anchoring midfield; with Addai, Caqueret, Baturina, and the dynamic Nico Paz forming a flexible attacking unit. With Tasos Douvikas and Alvaro Morata on the bench and injuries to Edoardo Goldaniga and Assane Diao, Como’s squad depth was tested but not found wanting.
The match itself was a tense, tactical affair, with both sides probing for weaknesses. Napoli’s superior xG generation and attacking intent was evident, but Como’s defensive discipline and sharp counterattacks kept the hosts honest. In the 36th minute, the visitors struck first. A flowing move saw Valle whip in a cross to Smolcic, who was brought down by Olivera in the box. After a brief VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot. Martin Baturina coolly slotted home, sending Milinkovic-Savic the wrong way and giving Como a shock lead.
Napoli’s response was swift. Just after the break, a vertical ball found Hojlund, whose misdirected pass inadvertently became the perfect assist for Vergara. The young forward made no mistake one-on-one with Butez, drawing Napoli level and reigniting the partisan crowd. The equalizer set the stage for a frenetic second half, with both teams creating chances but unable to find a decisive breakthrough.
As the clock ticked towards full-time, the tension was palpable. Napoli, desperate to avoid a second consecutive penalty shootout in the Coppa Italia, poured forward. But Como’s defense, marshaled brilliantly by Ramon and Diego Carlos, held firm. There was controversy, too—Napoli protested furiously after Jacobo Ramon escaped a second yellow card for a foul on Hojlund at the edge of the box. Antonio Conte, never one to hide his emotions, was seen remonstrating with the officials. “You need courage to make these decisions,” he was quoted as saying by Mediaset, frustration etched across his face.
With the score locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and no extra time in the Coppa Italia, the match went straight to penalties—the second time in as many cup games that Napoli were forced to the spot. Fabregas made a tactical switch, bringing on Vojvoda for Nico Paz, perhaps sensing the need for fresh legs and composure in the shootout.
The penalty sequence was nothing short of epic. The opening five spot-kicks saw Lukaku miss for Napoli, but a miss from Perrone for Como kept things level. As the shootout entered sudden death, nerves frayed. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Napoli’s goalkeeper, scored a remarkable penalty—his powerful shot ricocheting off the crossbar, then Butez, and finally into the net. But it was Stanislav Lobotka’s miss on Napoli’s eighth penalty, after Vojvoda had converted for Como, that sealed the Lariani’s place in the semi-finals. The sight of Lobotka’s despair and the jubilant Como bench told the story.
For Como, this was more than just a cup upset—it was a historic achievement. The club reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 40 years, a feat last accomplished in 1986 when they eliminated then-champions Verona. Fabregas, whose coaching stock continues to rise, masterminded a tactical masterclass, blending defensive resilience with just enough attacking threat to keep Napoli off balance.
Napoli, meanwhile, were left to rue missed opportunities and the cruel lottery of penalties. Sporting director Giovanni Manna, speaking to Mediaset, highlighted the challenges the club faced: “Transfer market? It’s complicated and we decided to focus on young players like Giovane and Alisson Santos, who have qualities for the future as well. We’re waiting for them and we’re calm. Scudetto? First of all, I’d like to be able to count on the whole squad or at least with ‘normal’ injuries. Unfortunately, we’ve had long-term injuries: I would have liked to compete with the full squad. The first goal was the Supercoppa and we’ve already won it, and in the Coppa Italia we want to go further. In the league, we’re in line with expectations.”
For all the pre-match predictions and statistical models, this was a reminder that cup football retains its magic. Como, written off by most, showed heart, discipline, and nerves of steel. Napoli, despite their pedigree and home advantage, fell short on the night. As the Lariani prepare for a semi-final showdown with Inter, their fans will savor this famous victory—a night when the underdogs bit back and history was made in Naples.