Como’s Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia was buzzing on January 3, 2026, as the home side continued their remarkable unbeaten run with a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Udinese in Serie A. The victory, secured by captain Da Cunha’s historic penalty, not only extended Como’s positive home trend but also broke a club curse that had shadowed them for over two decades. With this result, Como solidified their place in the upper echelons of the league, moving to within two points of Juventus and holding on to sixth place, while Udinese’s struggles on the road deepened further.
Coming into the match, Como were riding high after a 3-0 away triumph at Lecce, a game that saw goals from Nico Paz, Jacobo Ramon, and Tasos Douvikas. Head coach Cesc Fàbregas, who has emphasized growth and tactical maturity all season, was forced into a late change as Paz, usually a key creative force, was left out of the starting eleven due to a string of physical issues. "Why isn't he playing? Because he's not good enough (laughs). He hasn't trained all week. After Lecce, he didn't recover well physically. He had a problem with his quadriceps, then his glute, then his hamstring. Then he had diarrhea the last two days. Too many things. He's fine, he can come in, but he hasn't trained all week. The last time he did was in Rome, where he had been sick for three days and wasn't at his best. Today is an opportunity for other players, he can come on during the game," Fàbregas explained to DAZN before kickoff.
The Larians lined up in a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation: Butez in goal, Van Der Brempt, Kempf, Ramon, and Moreno at the back, Perrone and Caqueret anchoring midfield, with Vojvoda, Da Cunha, and Rodriguez supporting Douvikas up front. Udinese, under Kosta Runjaic, countered with their trademark 3-5-2, featuring Padelli between the posts, a defensive trio of Kristensen, Kabasele, and Bertola, and a dynamic forward pairing of Keinan Davis and Nicolò Zaniolo.
From the opening whistle, Como imposed their rhythm, buoyed by a home record that now boasts five wins and three draws, with just three goals conceded all season—a defensive feat matched only by Napoli and Juventus. Udinese, meanwhile, were desperate to reverse a poor run, having picked up just one point from their previous three matches and carrying the joint-worst defensive record in Serie A with 28 goals conceded, tied with Torino and Fiorentina.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half, and it was a moment for the history books. After a slick exchange between Alberto Moreno and Da Cunha, Udinese’s Piotrowski was caught blatantly holding the Spaniard inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and the captain himself stepped up. Da Cunha coolly slotted home, sending Padelli the wrong way. The stadium erupted—not just for the lead, but because Como had finally ended a 23-year penalty drought in Serie A. Their last successful conversion from the spot dated back to September 29, 2002, when Carbone netted against Reggina. In the intervening years, the club had missed six consecutive penalties, with names like Caccia, Amoruso, Cutrone, Nico Paz, and Morata all failing to convert. The sense of relief was palpable.
Udinese, for their part, weren’t without threat. Zaniolo, their creative talisman, produced a moment of magic in the penalty area, dancing past defenders and finishing with aplomb. For a brief second, it seemed the visitors had drawn level, but VAR intervened. Zaniolo was judged to have started from an offside position, and the goal was chalked off, keeping Como’s lead intact.
Como nearly doubled their advantage shortly after. Douvikas, a constant menace, found himself in space after a series of ricochets in the Udinese box. His thunderous left-footed strike rattled the crossbar, drawing gasps from the crowd. It was a let-off for Udinese, whose defensive frailties were exposed once again.
The second half saw Como manage the game with maturity, a trait Fàbregas had highlighted in his pre-match comments: "Our goal for 2026 is to keep growing, always with clarity and a strong attention to detail. We want to see our young players take more steps forward and further develop our training center, making sure everyone stays connected through a shared culture. This journey is made up of many elements that eventually show in our results on the pitch, but growth is not just about what happens during matches. I think we made important progress this year, and I expect us to take even bigger steps going forward."
Udinese tried to force the issue, with Davis and Zaniolo probing for an equalizer. Davis, who already had five goals and two assists this season, found precious little space against Como’s disciplined backline. Runjaic’s side, known for their physicality and aerial prowess (their 280 aerial duels won is third-best in Serie A), couldn’t translate those strengths into clear-cut chances. Injuries and a reshuffled backline, compounded by the absence of key players like Atta, Zemura, Bayo, Buksa, and Palma, only added to their woes.
The moment Como fans had been waiting for arrived in the 69th minute. Nico Paz, the young Argentine star, was finally introduced to the match, replacing Caqueret. The Sinigaglia crowd rose as one, delivering a standing ovation for their number ten, whose contributions this season have been central to Como’s attacking threat. Though Paz didn’t find the net, his presence helped Como retain possession and see out the closing stages with composure.
As the final whistle blew, Como’s players and supporters celebrated another home clean sheet and a result that keeps their European aspirations alive. For Udinese, the defeat marked their second in three games and further exposed the defensive vulnerabilities that have haunted them all campaign.
Looking at the bigger picture, Como’s resurgence under Fàbregas is becoming one of the stories of the Serie A season. Their home fortress remains unbreached, and with a blend of tactical discipline, youthful energy, and timely moments of inspiration, the Larians are showing they belong among Italy’s elite. With Juventus now just two points ahead and the rest of the season still to play, the dreams of European football on Lake Como are growing ever more real.
