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Serie A | Cremonese 1-4 Como: Fabregas in the Champions League
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- Serie A | Cremonese 1-4 Como: Fabregas in the Champions League
Serie A | Cremonese 1-4 Como: Fabregas in the Champions League
Como made history by qualifying for the Champions League after Milan's San Siro collapse, and sent Cremonese down to Serie B.
The races for Champions League spots and Serie A safety intersected here on the final round, with both teams knowing even a win might not be sufficient. To make matters worse, the hosts were hit by a stomach bug ruling out Warren Bondo, Martin Payero, Faris Moumbagna and Mikayil Faye, while Antonio Sanabria, Federico Baschirotto and Federico Ceccherini were also injured . Como only had star man Nico Paz fit for the bench with a muscular problem , plus Alex Valle and Jayden Addai out of action.
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See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
CREMONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Coaches Marco Giampaolo of US Cremonese and Cesc Fabregas of Como 1907 pose before the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Como 1907 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on May 24, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
There was even more bad news for Marco Giampaolo, who lost Youssouf Maleh to a muscular injury in the opening minutes and was forced into a change.
Assane Diao failed to keep his header on target at the back post, but the winger did sprint down the left and stand up a cross for Tasos Douvikas, the shot was parried by Emil Audero, but a poor Giuseppe Pezzella clearance fell straight to Jesus Rodriguez for the Como opener.
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Como doubled their lead after the restart, this time it was Jesus Rodriguez who provided the assist for Tasos Douvikas to finish off at the back post.
However, Cremonese received a penalty when Jacobo Ramon bundled into the back of Jamie Vardy moments later. Federico Bonazzoli converted to pull one back.
CREMONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Jesus Rodriguez of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Como 1907 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on May 24, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
VAR called the referee over for a Matteo Bianchetti high boot to block off the Douvikas half-volley inside the penalty area, and a very harsh penalty was awarded. Cremonese were furious, so Milan Djuric and David Okereke were sent off while warming up, followed by Alberto Grassi also for dissent. Lucas Da Cunha eventually converted the resulting spot-kick.
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Da Cunha added a fourth goal by surprising the goalkeeper with a hard and low finish at the near post, when the far was expected.
They thought there was a fifth, but Alvaro Morata was offside on the assist to Sergi Roberto.
News came through after the final whistle that Milan had lost at home, meaning due to head-to-head records, the Juventus result was irrelevant, Como were in the Champions League.
Cremonese 1-4 Como
Jesus Rodriguez 36 (Co), Douvikas 51 (Co), Bonazzoli pen 55 (Cr), Da Cunha pen 74, 81 (Co)
Sent off:Grassi 72 (Cr), Okereke 71 (Cr bench), Djuric 71 (Cr bench)
