Porto beats Napoli 4-1 NEWS and Como overwhelms Lens 9-1 in France NEWS on the fourth day of the Champions League championship phase
Como's goal on the Lens pitch goes down in Champions League history as the away win with the biggest margin of the competition. Four times there had been differences of seven goals (by Bayern, Manchester City and PSG) but never of eight goals. Eight goals which are also the greatest difference ever, equalizing Liverpool's home victories against Beşiktaş 8-0 on 6 November 2007 and Real Madrid against Malmö 8-0 on 8 December 2015. Added to this is that Anastasios Douvikas is currently the Champions League's solo top scorer with six goals, ahead of Haaland and Tresoldi.
Nico Paz, scorer of Como's temporary 3-0 against Lens in the Champions League, does not celebrate his goal and instead shows a shirt with the black and white photo of Jesus de Miguel, a Tenerife striker, who died due to a clash during a match in the Spanish second division. 'Rest in peace' is the message on the shirt of Nico Paz who was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, therefore having a particular connection with the Canary Islands.
THE GOALS
At 90'+1 Lens-Como 1-9
In the 90th minute PORTO-Napoli 4-1! Goal from a penalty by Samu Aghehowa.
In the 80th minute PORTO-Napoli 3-1 GOAL! Kiwior scores! for the Luisitanians
At 69' Lens - COMO 1-8! Network by Martin Baturina. Triangle with Liberali who opens up a field for him with his heel: it's easy for the Croatian to score the eighth goal.
At 65' LENS - Como 1-7! Goal by Ruben Aguilar. Corner by Thauvin, great volley from the winger who puts it at the far post.
At 62' Lens - COMO 0-7! Network by Mattia Liberali. Ramon finds the winger who enters the area and tips battles Risser.
At 57' Lens - COMO 0-6! Tasos Douvikas network. Another vertical from Nico Paz, the Greek scores his personal hat-trick with a nice conclusion at the near post.
At 53' Lens - COMO 0-5! Network by Marc Kempf. Perfect cross from Milla from the left, the German defender emerges at the far post and heads it home.
At 47' Lens - COMO 0-4! Lucas da Cunha's goal. Vertical pocket by Nico Paz, the captain finds the winning diagonal from the center of the area.
At 43' Porto-NAPOLI 1-1! McTominay scores! Diogo Costa works miracles first on Politano and then on Hojlund but in the third the Scotsman doesn't forgive.
At 40' Lens - COMO 0-3! Network by Nico Paz. Como restart, Douvikas misses the first control but not the assist for the Argentine who unloads his left foot under seven.
At 32' Lens - COMO 0-2! Tasos Douvikas network. Nico Paz with a great cross to the far post for Valle, with the full-back putting it back in: it's easy for the Greek to score his personal double.
In the 11th minute PORTO-Napoli 1-0! Goal from Bednarek who heads the ball free in the area following Veiga's corner.
At 7' Lens - COMO 0-1! Tasos Douvikas network. Pattern on the corner, Perrone's tower for the Greek attacker who scores from two steps away.
THE EVE
Playing a match at a high level, with only a limited number of men because the squad available has been decimated by constant injuries, is always complicated. But facing a Champions League match with only 13 players at your disposal is like climbing a mountain. Massimiliano Allegri is aware of this and knows that Napoli, in tomorrow evening's match against Porto, will not be able to play all their cards to the end.
"In training we can't even act as a bull, because we don't cover the midfield circle", revealed the coach, even if the confidence in the chances of qualifying for the play-offs has not waned. "The match against Porto - he observes - is an important match but it won't be decisive. It's not the last resort. We'll play for the next round not in Manchester, in an almost prohibitive challenge, but against Bruges, Sabah and Viking". "The match is difficult - explains Allegri - because they have always won in the league and in the Champions League they have performed well. As for us, there is nothing to talk about, there is very little use. All we need to do is give a good performance. I believe that in the Champions League we will have the destiny in our hands, because with 10 points we should at least be able to go to the play-offs. Then, however, we need to sort out the championship, which is the most important thing."
"This is a crazy environment, I played here when I was at Monaco and I like playing on evenings like this. You can feel a warm environment, already in the warm-up it's almost full. It will be a great experience for our players. Yesterday I started preparing them, getting them pumped up. We want to play games like these." Cesc Fabregas is enthusiastic on the eve of Como's Champions League match against Lens who have their jewel in former Udinese player Thauvin. "Thauvin - says the coach - is an incredible player, I faced him when he was at Marseille and we challenged him in Udine. He scores many goals, he has great qualities and that is what makes the difference for Lens. We will have to control him very well".
The Como on team seems to have some huge twists in store: Jean Butez seems to have a slight advantage in the run-off with Sanchez. In defense, a probable four-man line with Yan Couto and Álex Valle on the wings, Ramón and Kempf. In midfield it would be up to Luis Milla and Máximo Perrone. We change the games but it is always the turn of the indispensable Nico Paz, with Lucas Da Cunha and Martin Baturina on the external lanes. In front, the immovable Douvikas, another Como star who amazes.
