Como dismantled Lazio 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, January 19, delivering the most complete away performance in Serie A this season. Martin Baturina struck after just two minutes. Nico Paz added a brace. The result marks Como’s first victory in Rome since 1952.
Cesc Fabregas’ side controlled possession at 66.1% and limited Lazio to just four shots on target. The scoreline could have been worse for the hosts. Paz missed a penalty at 0-2, and Lucas Da Cunha forced a sharp save from Ivan Provedel late in the second half.
Como now sits sixth in the Serie A standings with 37 points from 21 matches. They trail fifth-place Juventus by just two points. Lazio remains ninth with 28 points, having won only once in their last six league games.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Lazio | Como |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 33.9% | 66.1% |
| Shots (On Target) | 8 (4) | 11 (6) |
| Goals | 0 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 | 3 |
| Corners | 3 | 2 |
Como’s Early Blitz Sets the Tone
The visitors needed just 120 seconds to take the lead. Alex Valle received a long ball from Da Cunha and fed Baturina at the edge of the box. The Croatian’s shot deflected off Alessio Romagnoli and wrong-footed Provedel. The Olimpico fell silent.
Baturina’s goal was the second-fastest by a foreign player in Como’s Serie A history. Only Dan Corneliusson’s strike in the first minute against Roma in April 1986 came earlier.
Lazio tried to respond. Matteo Cancellieri had a chance on the counter in the 20th minute but took too long, allowing Jean Butez to close down the angle. Four minutes later, Como doubled their advantage through the inevitable Paz.
Baturina sent a cross toward the six-yard box. The ball pinballed off Maxence Caqueret’s foot and landed at Paz’s feet. The Argentine made no mistake from close range. His left-footed finish gave Provedel no chance.
Paz Misses Penalty But Completes the Job
VAR intervened in the 35th minute after Kenneth Taylor clipped Caqueret inside the area. Referee Michael Fabbri pointed to the spot following a lengthy review.
Paz stepped up and aimed for the bottom left corner. Provedel guessed correctly and pushed the ball away. The miss kept Lazio alive heading into halftime, but only temporarily.
Four minutes after the restart, Paz erased any memory of his penalty failure. Valle played a square ball into the box. Baturina received it with his back to goal and produced a magnificent backheel that released Paz in space. The 21-year-old curled a left-footed shot into the top corner. Provedel could only watch.
The goal showcased everything that makes this Como side dangerous. Quick combinations. Technical brilliance. Clinical execution. Fabregas has built a team that plays without fear, regardless of the venue or opponent.
Sarri’s Troubles Deepen
Maurizio Sarri made his frustrations clear before kickoff. A public dispute with president Claudio Lotito over January transfer business had dominated the previous week. The manager entered the match having stepped aside from recruitment decisions entirely.
His team selection reflected the tension. Petar Ratkov started up front after a week of questions about whether Sarri even knew who the Serbian striker was before his arrival. Taylor kept his place in midfield despite limited Serie A experience.
Neither gamble paid off. Lazio pressed without purpose. They chased shadows as Como recycled possession through midfield. When chances did arrive, the finishing lacked conviction.
Sarri introduced Gustav Isaksen, Tijjani Noslin, and Nicolo Rovella after the hour mark. None changed the game’s direction. Como defended their lead comfortably, nearly adding a fourth when Da Cunha forced Provedel into a fingertip save in the 73rd minute.
The manager acknowledged Como’s superiority afterward. He noted his team conceded from just three entries into the box during the first half. Two became goals. The third was a penalty.
That efficiency defines Fabregas’ project. Como don’t need 20 chances to win a match. They need three or four clean looks and players capable of taking them.
Paz Continues Breakout Campaign
Nico Paz now has eight Serie A goals this season. The former Real Madrid prospect has transformed into one of Italian football’s most dangerous attacking midfielders.
His numbers tell part of the story. Six goals, six assists, and 12 total goal involvements in 20 league appearances. His non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes ranks in the top three percent of Serie A players.
The performances tell the rest. Paz won Serie A’s Rising Star of the Month award in both August and September. He scored and assisted in Como’s famous 2-1 win over Juventus in October. He creates chances for teammates and finishes his own with equal quality.
Real Madrid retained a buyback clause when they sold him permanently last summer. Reports suggest they will exercise it. For now, Como benefits from having a genuine top-level talent leading their European push.
Serie A Standings After Matchday 21
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Juventus | 21 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 39 |
| 6 | Como | 21 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 37 |
| 7 | Bologna | 21 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 35 |
| 8 | AC Milan | 21 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 34 |
| 9 | Lazio | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Como completed the double over Lazio for the first time in club history. Their third consecutive away win by a 3-0 scoreline signals serious intent. European qualification is no longer a dream. It is a realistic target.
Lazio faces different questions. Their 7-7-7 record reflects a side without identity. Sarri has distanced himself from the club’s direction. The fans deserve better than what they witnessed Monday night.
What Comes Next
Como hosts Torino on Friday, January 24, looking to extend their unbeaten home record. Every point matters in the congested race for continental spots. Juventus, Bologna, AC Milan, and Fiorentina all have eyes on the same prize.
Lazio travels to Lecce the same day. A winnable fixture on paper, but nothing feels certain for this group right now. Sarri needs results. More importantly, he needs performances that suggest his players still believe in his methods.
The gap between these two clubs on Monday felt wider than nine points. Como played like a team with purpose and conviction. Lazio played like a team waiting for something to change.
Sometimes the table doesn’t tell the full story. Sometimes a single match reveals more about where two clubs stand than any statistic could. This was one of those nights.
