Douvikas Double Sinks Sassuolo as Como Keep Riding the Champions League High

Douvikas at the double as Como brush Sassuolo aside

Como's remarkable season shows no sign of slowing down. Still buzzing from their extraordinary 4-1 Champions League thrashing of Manchester United earlier in the week, the Lariani comfortably disposed of Sassuolo 2-0 thanks to a second-half brace from Anastasios Douvikas — and they did it despite wholesale squad rotation.

Cesc Fabregas shuffled his pack and still had far too much for opponents who had scraped just one point from their previous three rounds. Mattia Liberali joined Trevoh Chalobah, Assane Diao and Jesus Rodriguez on the absentee list, Moise Kean was back on the bench, and Samuele Ricci was handed his first start.

Sassuolo's afternoon was made harder by the absence of Jay Idzes, Fedde Leysen, Daniel Boloca and Ismael Koné, though Cristian Volpato was returning to fitness. Diao's unavailability was a particular blow for Como: according to a FotMob player snapshot fetched on 23 October 2026, the winger had two goals and one assist in six Serie A appearances in 2026-27.

First half: offside flags, near-post escapes and two disallowed goals

Como had the ball in the net after seven minutes, but the offside flag went up for Lucas Da Cunha in that wide right role. Nemanja Matic nodded wide from a free kick, and the hosts carved out another big chance when Douvikas tried to squeeze in a shot from the tightest of angles, only for the deflection to bounce off the near post.

Douvikas also forced a tricky save from Stefano Turati, Maxence Caqueret's finish was too weak, and Benjamin Dominguez curled off target from a promising position. Sassuolo survived a penalty appeal when Bruno Kaiki charged down a Dominguez pull-back with his trailing arm — but because he was falling and the arm was in a natural position, nothing was given.

At the other end, Sassuolo had a goal disallowed just before half-time: Kieron Bowie was offside before rolling the ball across for Darryl Bakola to turn in.

Fabregas's triple change pays off within three minutes

Fabregas was not satisfied with what he had seen and made a triple change during the break. It paid off almost immediately, as Como broke the deadlock within three minutes of the restart.

Caqueret won a tackle at full stretch in midfield and sent Kaiki down the left, who rolled across for Douvikas to sweep home. Sassuolo felt it was a foul on Matic, but Caqueret got to the ball first.

It was nearly 2-0 moments later, as Jayden Addai twisted and turned down the right to force a difficult save from Turati at the near post, and the follow-up header from Caqueret was deflected wide off Ignace van der Brempt.

That was only a warning. Kaiki intercepted a pass in midfield and burst down the left, pulling back from the by-line for Douvikas to come sliding in from 10 yards and complete his brace.

Sassuolo's protests, Como's missed third

Luis Milla really should have had a third when he prodded wide from 12 yards after Sassuolo panicked while playing out from the back, while Jacobo Ramon had a chance charged down in added time. It mattered little: Como saw the game out without alarm.

The win underlines the depth Fabregas now has at his disposal. On 22 October 2026, reports described how Como routed Manchester United 4-1, with Baturina creating openings and Nico Paz starring in a historic Champions League night — Douvikas scored in that match too, his third goal in as many Champions League appearances. Less than 48 hours of recovery later, a heavily rotated Como still had enough to take all three points.

What it means

For Como, it is another statement result in a season that keeps delivering them: a Champions League scalp followed by a controlled Serie A victory, with Douvikas emerging as the man for the big moments. For Sassuolo, the wait for a lift goes on — one point from three rounds, and now a fourth game without a win, notwithstanding a battling first-half display.