Como secure a crucial home victory thanks to Alberto Moreno’s second-half strike, staying firmly in the race for a Champions League spot heading into Matchday 38.
Como 1907 kept their Champions League hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Parma Calcio 1913 at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Matchday 37 of the Serie A season.
Cesc Fabregas’ side dominated possession and created the better chances throughout the afternoon, but it took until the 58th minute to finally break through against a disciplined Parma defense. The decisive moment came shortly after Jesus Rodriguez entered the match, with the substitute delivering a perfect cut-back for Alberto Moreno, who blasted a left-footed strike under the crossbar for the game-winning goal.
The victory means Como will head into the final weekend of the season still mathematically in contention for a place in next year’s UEFA Champions League. Having already secured at least Europa League group-stage football, Fabregas’ team now need a positive result against Cremonese and help from elsewhere to complete an extraordinary campaign.
Parma struggled to threaten throughout the contest and barely tested Como goalkeeper Lucas Butez. Their only real moment arrived in the 74th minute when Mateo Pellegrino found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Defensively, Como were once again outstanding, with Ramon and Marc Kempf leading a back line that allowed virtually nothing all game long. Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki prevented the scoreline from becoming more lopsided with several key saves, but he could do little about Moreno’s finish.
For Parma, it was a disappointing attacking performance overall, with Gabriel Strefezza unable to make an impact against Como’s organized defense.
Match Report
Como 1-0 Parma
Scorers:
58’ Alberto Moreno (Como)
Como (4-2-3-1)
Butez; Van der Brempt (71’ Smolcic), Ramon, Kempf (82’ Diego Carlos), Alberto Moreno; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Caqueret (53’ Jesus Rodriguez), Baturina (82’ Sergi Roberto); Douvikas (82’ Morata).
Head Coach: Cesc Fabregas.
Parma (3-5-2)
Suzuki; Circati, Troilo, Valenti; Delprato, Ordonez (70’ Sorensen), Nicolussi Caviglia (70’ Estevez), Keita, Carboni (70’ Valeri); Strefezza (59’ Elphege, 85’ Mikolajewski), Pellegrino.
Head Coach: Carlos Cuesta.
Referee: Zufferli
Yellow Cards: Alberto Moreno, Ramon
Red Cards: None
