MILAN (AP) — Seven years ago, Como was playing in Italian soccer’s fourth division. Next season, they will compete in Europe for the first time in their 119-year history.
And it could even be the Champions League.
Como won 1-0 against Hellas Verona. Serie A It will be played on Sunday to at least guarantee a spot in the conference league, as they cannot finish below sixth place. Anastasios Dubikas scored for Como.
As a result, Como are now just two points behind fourth-placed AC Milan and Roma. Milan lost 3-2 at home to Atalanta, while Roma had a dramatic 3-2 victory over Parma.
After this weekend, there are only two rounds left in Serie A.
Como have made rapid progress since Indonesian tobacco billionaire brothers Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono bought the club in 2019 when they were in Serie D.
European football could prove good enough to keep manager Cesc Fabregas at the club, with strong teams across Europe reportedly showing interest in the 39-year-old, who has impressed in his first managerial role.
Fans keep flowing out
Milan faced intense jeers during Sunday’s match as hundreds of Rossoneri fans poured out of the San Siro after Atalanta won 3-0 just six minutes after half-time.
Milan’s Strahinja Pavlovic’s 88th-minute goal was the team’s second in six games since the end of March.
However, in stoppage time, Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty after being fouled by Marten de Roon, and then Matteo Gabbia narrowly missed his header going over the post, and Milan almost completed an incredible comeback.
It was Milan’s fourth loss in six games.
dramatic finale
Roma scored two goals just before the end of second-half stoppage time to earn a come-from-behind victory over Parma, raising expectations for a spot in the Champions League.
Mandela Keita gave Parma a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute and Roma were headed for defeat.
However, substitute Devine Rensch scored the equalizer in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, earning a penalty after falling to the ground during a scramble for the ball with Parma defender Sacha Bryczgi.
The referee initially awarded Parma a free kick. A video review later reversed the decision, showed Bryczgi a second yellow card and sent off, and awarded Roma a penalty, which Donyell Malen converted in the 11th minute of stoppage time.
Vardy gives hope to Cremone
Jamie Vardy’s first goal since January gave Cremonese a crucial 3-0 victory over bottom club Pisa, who played with nine men for most of the second half.
Pisa, who had already been mathematically determined to be relegated, got off to a terrible start, with defender Rosen Bozhinov receiving two yellow cards and being sent off in the 24th minute.
Vardy scored seven minutes later and Federico Bonazzoli extended Cremonese’s lead to two points early in the second half.
Things got even worse for Pisa. In the 57th minute, midfielder Felipe Loyola was shown a straight red card for a dangerous two-footed tackle on Giuseppe Pezzella.
David Okereke scored for Cremonese, moving them within the safety points.
Fiorentina and Genoa ended up drawing 0-0, making the situation mathematically safe.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
