Assane Diao scores on Champions League debut for Como

Assane Diao marked his Champions League debut with a goal as Como beat RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in their first ever campaign in the competition. Martin Baturina opened the scoring and set up Tasos Douvikas for the second, before Diao struck after the break and substitute Maxi Perrone completed the rout. Andrija Maksimovic's strike, capitalising on a defensive error, was the only reply for Leipzig.

A win in the first Champions League game, we cannot have asked for more. We’re all happy with the result, but also the performance and the joy of our fans.

Diao turned 21 on Monday. He joined Como in 2025 but has featured sparingly since, held back first by a foot fracture and then a thigh strain.

"It’s every kid’s dream. I’ve watched Champions League matches my whole life," Diao told Sky Sport Italia. "After the Genoa win, I was thinking of listening to the theme music, and it was wonderful when it happened today. We must all dream, that is the greatest thing in life. I dreamed of this moment and it came true."

Douvikas, signed by Como in March 2025 and now on 22 goals for the club, was among the scorers. Nico Paz, who has 19 for Como and Real Madrid still holding, said afterwards it was "for nights like this" that he chose to stay at the club rather than trigger a move away, with Real Madrid still holding a buy-back option that has risen sharply in value since last summer.

Como were the only Italian side to win on Matchday 1 of this season's Champions League. Inter and Napoli both lost, while Roma drew 1-1 away to Fenerbahce.