RB Leipzig well beaten by UEFA Champions League debutants Como
RB Leipzig suffered a comprehensive defeat away to tournament newcomers Como on their return to the UEFA Champions League.
Como 4-1 RB LeipzigGoals: 1-0 Baturina 15', 2-0 Douvikas 38' (assist: Baturina), 3-0 Diao 54' (assist: Paz), 3-1 Maksimović 58' (assist: Nkunku), 4-1 Perrone 90' (assist: Paz)
Como hosted Leipzig at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia with both sides hoping to get their Champions League campaigns underway with a win. It marked Como's maiden appearance in a European competition following their fourth-placed Serie A finish, while Leipzig returned to the Champions League after a year's absence, making their eighth appearance in the competition.
Baturina and Douvikas send Como flying
Como began brightly and were rewarded in the 15th minute when Martin Baturina pounced on a loose ball inside the box after a low cross from Douvikas was only half-cleared, calmly finishing to make it 1-0.
Leipzig nearly responded just one minute later through Antonio Nusa, who forced an important save from Jean Butez when through on goal. Andrija Maksimović and Marc Guiu then also went close within a minute of each other, with Butez saving well and Guiu heading wide from close range.
Just two minutes later, Anastasios Douvikas doubled the hosts' lead, latching onto a Baturina through-ball before holding off Castello Lukeba and finishing into the far corner, sending Como in 2-0 up at the break.
RB Leipzig improve but to no avail
Although Leipzig came out after the break with renewed vigour, they swiftly found themselves 3-0 down when Assane Diao raced onto a Nico Paz pass and drilled a powerful finish into the far corner. Como captain Lucas Da Cunha should have then added a fourth, but fired wide with the goal gaping.
That allowed Leipzig to hit back just one minute later, with Christopher Nkunku finding Maksimović on the edge of the box, with the latter curling home a sumptuous first-time effort to make it 3-1 just before the hour mark.
Leipzig continued to press for a way back into the contest but could not find a way through, and just before stoppage time substitute Máximo Perrone completed a swift Como counter, slotting home the fourth after a Paz assist to seal the win.
Martín Demichelis's team return to European action at home to PSV Eindhoven on 13 October.
