Como 2–0 Sassuolo: Douvikas Delivers, and Nico Gets the Afternoon Off

One of the most satisfying details of Como’s afternoon against Sassuolo was a substitution that never happened. Nico Paz stayed on the bench.

Three days after his extraordinary performance against Manchester United, Como’s number ten could watch his teammates finish the job. Tasos Douvikas scored twice, Cesc Fàbregas changed the game’s direction at half-time, and a 2–0 victory completed a week that has given us plenty to enjoy. It's how a big club handles business.

Fiorentina away. United at home. Now Sassuolo. Three wins, nine goals scored and two conceded across those fixtures. The latest result brought Como to 17 points from eight league games.

For a team learning to live with the demands of European football, winning again while sharing the workload is especially encouraging.

A promising start, then a game that needed changing

Fàbregas made four changes to Wednesday’s starting side. Willy Kambwala, Samuele Ricci, Kaiki and Maxence Caqueret came in, with Jacobo Ramón, Luis Milla, Álex Valle and Paz among the substitutes.

The early signs were good. Lucas Da Cunha had a goal disallowed for offside, and Douvikas threatened Stefano Turati’s goal. But Como’s initial momentum faded, allowing Sassuolo to become more involved as the half developed.

The visitors also had a goal ruled out before the interval, when Kieron Bowie was offside in the move finished by Darryl Bakola. As ANSA’s match report describes, Sassuolo were finding ways through without consistently making life difficult for Jean Butez.

At 0–0, this remained an afternoon Como had to earn. The United celebrations had bought us no credit on the scoreboard.

Three changes, and a quicker answer

Fàbregas acted at the break. Ramón replaced Kambwala, Milla came on for Ricci, and Jayden Addai took Baturina’s place.

Three substitutions at once is a substantial intervention. It also makes it difficult to assign the improvement to one player alone. The useful observation is that Como became more incisive immediately, while keeping Caqueret in the creative role and leaving Paz in reserve.

In the 49th minute, Caqueret supplied Douvikas for the opener. Addai was involved in the build-up, and soon threatened a goal himself, forcing Turati into a save. Fantacalcio’s account captures the renewed attacking pressure after the interval.

That was the practical value of the changes: Como asked more questions, more quickly. Sassuolo had much less time to settle into the game than they had enjoyed before half-time.

Caqueret and Kaiki make their case

Caqueret’s contribution matters beyond the assist. On an afternoon when Como needed someone else to supply their centre-forward, he helped deliver the breakthrough.

We should resist judging every player who starts in Nico’s position by how closely he resembles Nico. The purpose of squad depth is to give the coach useful options. Caqueret provided one here, and the team found a way through with him at the heart of the decisive move.

Kaiki then supplied the second in the 60th minute. The club’s report credits his tackle to regain possession before the assist, with Douvikas sliding in to finish.

It was an excellent example of defensive aggression creating an attacking opportunity. Win the ball, recognise the opening and find the striker before the opposition can reorganise. A full-back’s value in this team includes what he does to make those moments possible.

Douvikas keeps arriving

The service deserves attention. So does the man who keeps converting it.

Douvikas’s double took him to eight goals in all competitions this season, including five in his last four appearances, according to AFP’s report on theScore.

The pleasing thing about this run is its continuity. Different opponents, different supporting players and different match situations have still produced chances for the same centre-forward. Against Sassuolo, he was there to finish both decisive attacks.

For supporters, that creates a very particular kind of confidence. A goalless first half feels more manageable when the striker has been scoring regularly and continues to find opportunities. It does not guarantee the next chance goes in. It gives everyone a reason to keep making it.

A useful answer to the depth question

This was an encouraging afternoon for the squad, with a qualification worth keeping in mind: Como needed three half-time changes to improve a performance that had lost momentum.

Rotation is still work in progress. One result cannot tell us how comfortably this group will manage a whole season across three competitions. But it can show that the coach has more than one way to win a match.

Here, Fàbregas could adjust the defence, midfield and attack without asking Paz to rescue the afternoon. Caqueret and Kaiki supplied the goals. Addai brought an immediate threat. Douvikas finished the chances. Como then protected the advantage and kept a clean sheet.

That is a useful collection of contributions to take into another busy week.

Seventeen points, and straight back to work

Torino away follows on Tuesday, 27 October, so the benefit of keeping Nico unused may arrive quickly. There is little room in this schedule to admire one result before preparing for the next.

Still, Saturday deserves its own appreciation. Como had to negotiate a stubborn first half, respond to a changed team and find the urgency to take control. They did all of it.

The United win will be the one we remember first when we look back on this week. Douvikas and his teammates made sure there was another three points to go with the memories.