Como finished fourth in Serie A on Sunday, securing the club’s first-ever qualification for the UEFA Champions League [1], [3].
The result represents a historic shift in the Italian football hierarchy, as a smaller club displaces traditional powerhouses from Europe's most prestigious competition.
Como clinched the spot on May 24, 2026, during the final day of the 2025-26 season [2]. The decisive match took place at the home ground of Cremonese in Cremona [5]. Managed by Cesc Fabregas, Como defeated a 10-man Cremonese with a score of four-one [5].
This victory coincided with failures from other title contenders. AC Milan suffered a 2-1 loss to Cagliari, while Juventus played to a 2-2 draw with Torino [2], [5]. Because both AC Milan and Juventus failed to finish in the top four, they missed out on Champions League qualification [1], [2].
The achievement is particularly notable given the club's financial standing. Como entered the final stretch of the season with the 11th-highest wage bill in Serie A [7]. Despite not having the largest budget in the league, the club managed to leapfrog established giants to claim the fourth-place position [1].
AS Roma also featured in the final day's calculations as teams vied for the limited qualification spots [2]. The combination of Como's dominant offensive performance, and the stumbles of Milan and Juventus, ensured the historic promotion for the lakeside club.
“Como finished fourth in Serie A, securing the club’s first‑ever UEFA Champions League qualification”
The qualification of Como signals a potential disruption of the traditional 'Seven Sisters' dominance in Italian football. By securing a Champions League spot with a mid-tier wage bill, Como demonstrates that strategic management under Fabregas can overcome the financial advantages of legacy clubs like AC Milan and Juventus.
