Nico Paz: ‘Nights like this are why I wanted to stay at Como’

Nico Paz: ‘Nights like this are why I wanted to stay at Como’ Nico Paz admits ‘it was for nights like this that I wanted to stay’ at Como, as they crushed RB Leipzig 4-1 in their historic first Champions League match. It was difficult to ask for more from this historic occasion, as the Lariani beat RB Leipzig 4-1 in their Stadio Sinigaglia, which was renovated over the summer to meet UEFA criteria. Their first ever Champions League match was a triumphant march with all the goals scored by players who were here last season and therefore earned their place in the top tournament. Martin Baturina opened the scoring, then provided the assist for Tasos Douvikas, while after the break Assane Diao and substitute Maxi Perrone completed the rout, with Andrija Maksimovic’s scorcher the only reply from Leipzig. Nico Paz committed to Como COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 is challenged by Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Como 1907 and RB Leipzig at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on September 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) “It was an historic night, we had an incredible game, we were so excited to play this game and we’re really happy,” Nico Paz told Sky Sport Italia. “It was for nights like this that I wanted to stay, I knew this is where I would grow the most, and I am really pleased with my decision. I made the right choice.” Although Real Madrid still retain a buy-back option, it has been pumped up considerably from last summer , as the Argentina international was determined to continue at the Stadio Sinigaglia. COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 celebrates with teammates after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Como 1907 and RB Leipzig at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on September 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Como are the only Italian team to have won in Champions League Matchday 1, as Inter and Napoli lost, while Roma were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce. Many of them were making their debuts in European competition, let alone in the most prestigious tournament, but did not seem at all over-awed by the occasion. COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: General view inside the stadium before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Como 1907 and RB Leipzig at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on September 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “Baturina is an incredible player, he saw how space he had to hurt Leipzig and did a remarkable job,” continued Nico Paz. “We had to defend more in the second half, as we were 3-1 up. I don’t know where I got the energy from in the final minutes for that assist, but I dug deep!” COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Martin Baturina of Como 1907 celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Como 1907 and RB Leipzig at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on September 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Despite the two assists, Fabio Capello in the Sky Sport Italia studio said that Nico Paz didn’t seem at 100 per cent fitness. “It was a difficult match, because I was always man-marked with their Number 27 the whole time, so this opened up spaces for my teammates. I didn’t get the ball as much as usual, but I had a bit more after the break. Of course, I can always do better.”