Genoa 1-4 Como: Diao double powers Fàbregas’ side to another statement away win

Como delivered another emphatic statement of their early-season ambition on Friday night, recovering from an early deficit to beat Genoa 4-1 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris and extend their unbeaten start to Serie A.

Cesc Fàbregas’ side arrived in Liguria with confidence after last weekend’s 2-1 victory away to Napoli, but they were forced to respond after Genoa struck first in the 19th minute.

Milutin Osmajić, making his first start for the hosts, finished from close range after Lorenzo Colombo exploited Como’s high defensive line and delivered from the left. For a Genoa team that had failed to score in defeats to Napoli and Lazio, it was their first league goal of the season and briefly offered hope of a much-needed first result.

That hope lasted only six minutes.

Martin Baturina levelled with a superb strike from outside the penalty area in the 25th minute, before Assane Diao completed the turnaround five minutes later. Álex Valle’s delivery reached the back post after Leo Østigård failed to clear decisively, allowing Diao to keep his volley down and beat Justin Bijlow.

Como were not finished. Their third goal arrived in the 41st minute after a patient spell of possession ended with Yan Couto lifting a pass over the Genoa defence for Nico Paz. The Argentine controlled before firing into the near top corner, sending Fàbregas’ side into half-time with a commanding 3-1 advantage.

Genoa attempted to stabilise the contest after the break, but Como continued to carry the greater threat. Paz came close to adding another when he struck the post from the edge of the area, while the introduction of Moise Kean gave the visitors a fresh attacking option.

Kean made an immediate contribution on his Como debut. After combining with Maxence Caqueret during a quick transition, he carried the ball forward and released Diao, who drove across goal in the 78th minute to complete his brace and seal the result.

The victory gives Como seven points from their opening three matches and follows impressive away wins over Napoli and Genoa in the space of six days. Their attack has already shown several different routes to goal, with Baturina, Paz and Diao all decisive at the Ferraris.

For Genoa, the situation is considerably more troubling. Daniele De Rossi’s side have now lost all three of their opening Serie A fixtures, and although Osmajić finally ended their wait for a league goal, the defensive collapse that followed left little consolation.

Como, meanwhile, leave Genoa with their unbeaten record intact and momentum building rapidly ahead of the next stage of an increasingly ambitious season.