Como's 9-1 Lens rout sparks Champions League debate

Como defeated Lens 9-1 on Wednesday night, marking the second nine-goal performance in the history of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The result places the Italian club in a strong position to advance to the knockout stage of their first campaign in the competition. They now sit in the top tier of the 36-team standings alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, who have won all four of their matches.

The win over Lens followed earlier victories against RB Leipzig and Manchester United. Como has scored 37 goals in 14 games across domestic and European competitions. They rank in the top four of Serie A. The team leads the tournament in assists through Nico Paz, who has recorded seven such plays this season. Anastasios Douvikas is the current top scorer in the Champions League.

ESPN FC writer Rob Dawson noted that Como has become a difficult opponent for other clubs. He pointed to their organized structure under manager Cesc Fabregas and the challenging atmosphere at their lakeside stadium. "They're fast becoming the team no one wants to play," Dawson wrote. He added that none of the tournament favorites would welcome a two-legged tie against the Italian side.

Mark Ogden described Como as a refreshing change in Italian football, noting their adventurous style. However, he predicted they would likely exit before the quarterfinals. He cited the increasing difficulty of the spring schedule and the likelihood that top clubs would adjust their tactics against them. Ogden also suggested that Fabregas is now a prime target for other European clubs.

Sam Marsden highlighted the low cost of Como's current squad relative to other Champions League teams. He noted that most players were acquired from lower divisions or as castoffs from larger clubs. "These aren't players Europe's top teams were fighting over," Marsden wrote. He credited Fabregas for maximizing the potential of a recently promoted side. Marsden expressed interest in Como's upcoming match against Barcelona in the final league phase matchday.

Gab Marcotti emphasized the statistical rarity of Como's performance. He noted that the team achieved the result with three starters unavailable. He argued that the club's financial spending, while high for its league position, remains modest compared to mid-tier European clubs. "So much of the credit has to go to Fabregas," Marcotti wrote. He stated that the manager has transformed a good group of players into a great team.

Manchester United secured a 3-2 victory over Roma on Tuesday night at Old Trafford. The hosts trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes before completing a comeback. The win ends a nine-game winless streak for the club. Manager Michael Carrick remains under pressure despite the result. The team has managed only one clean sheet this season and lost seven of their first 13 matches.

Ogden compared United's recent form to previous struggles by Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. He suggested the Roma win might be a false dawn. He pointed to the team's defensive flaws and the injury to Carlos Baleba. "It would be naïve to think that he and United are now through the worst," Ogden wrote. He noted that a loss to Aston Villa this weekend would put Carrick's job back in serious jeopardy.

Dawson said the victory provides a boost in energy for the upcoming match against Villa. He stated that a win would allow Carrick to speak with more confidence about turning a corner. A loss would return the club to square one regarding the manager's future. "Win that, and Carrick can start talking more confidently about corners being turned," Dawson wrote.

Marcotti argued that the underlying issues at the club remain unresolved. He cited the ownership structure involving Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, and Jason Wilcox as problematic. He noted that United had only 0.24 expected goals and one shot on target in the first half against Roma. "The platform itself is rotten,