Como missed a chance to move into Serie A’s top four, losing 2-1 away to Sassuolo at MAPEI Stadium. Cesc Fabregas’ team stayed fifth in the table, while Fabio Grosso’s side claimed a valuable victory, their second win in six league matches.

The match hinged on a chaotic spell just before half-time, when all three goals arrived. Cristian Volpato and M’Bala Nzola struck in quick succession for Sassuolo, before Nico Paz responded for Como. The visitors then chased an equaliser throughout the second half but failed to break through.

Paz produced another strong individual display despite the result going against Como. The midfielder took five shots, more than any other player on the pitch. Paz now leads Serie A this season for total attempts with 116, and for shots on target with 48.

Paz continued an impressive scoring pattern in the major European competitions. Paz is the only midfielder to have scored more than five goals both home and away across the Big-5 European leagues this season, with six goals at home and six goals away in Serie A.

Sassuolo started with early intent, as Kristian Thorstvedt had an effort blocked after only 23 seconds. The contest then settled into a cautious rhythm until the 42nd minute. At that point the game changed, with Sassuolo striking twice and Como responding, all before the interval.

Volpato broke the deadlock first, lifting a composed first-time finish over Jean Butez. Just 105 seconds later, Sassuolo doubled the advantage. Nemanja Matic picked out Armand Lauriente with a precise pass, and Lauriente then slid Nzola through on goal for a confident second.

Como found a way back before half-time when Ivan Smolcic delivered a dangerous cross from the flank. Paz met it with a looping header that drifted into the far corner. Paz almost struck again on 68 minutes, but another promising effort was diverted away by the home defence.

Como increased the pressure in the closing stages, pushing Sassuolo deep. Marc Oliver Kempf tried from distance and Jacobo Ramon also had an attempt, yet neither effort forced a serious save from Stefano Turati. Sassuolo protected the lead to secure a fifth win from their last seven home Serie A games.

The numbers underlined Sassuolo’s control in key moments. Both sides finished with 12 shots, but Sassuolo generated 1.26 expected goals compared with Como’s 0.59. That clinical edge decided the contest, leaving Como frustrated after missing a chance to climb higher in the Serie A standings.

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The Opta data also highlighted Paz’s wider season impact beyond this match.

Those numbers reinforced how prominent Paz remains for Como, even when the team falls short.