Roma Avoids Relegation With Dominant Champions League Qualifier Win

ROME (AP) — Como secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Pisa on Sunday, bolstering their claim to Serie A’s final Champions League qualification spot. The win marks Como’s fifth consecutive victory in the league, establishing a three-point lead over Juventus, who drew 1-1 with Sassuolo on Saturday.

Assane Diao, Anastasios Douvikas, Martin Baturina, Nico Paz, and Maximo Perrone each contributed a goal to Como’s dominant performance. Douvikas’s 11th goal of the season is particularly noteworthy, making him the first Como player to reach double figures in Serie A since Giuseppe Baldini scored 13 and Renato Cattaneo 11 during the 1951-52 season.

The victory arrives shortly after the passing of Michael Bambang Hartono, one of Como’s owners, who died on Wednesday at the age of 86. Hartono, along with his brother Roberto Budi Hartono, acquired the club in 2019 when it was competing in Italy’s fourth division. Under their ownership, Como has experienced a remarkable resurgence, returning to Serie A in 2024 after a hiatus of over two decades.

Elsewhere in Serie A on Sunday, Lazio defeated Bologna 2-0, with January signing Kenneth Taylor scoring both goals. The win allowed Lazio to move ahead of Bologna into eighth place in the standings. Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta, in only his third Serie A appearance, saved a penalty taken by Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini.

Atalanta also secured a 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona, with Davide Zappacosta scoring the decisive goal. Prior to the match, Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon was recognized for making a club-record 436th appearance for the club across all competitions.

As of Sunday afternoon, Inter Milan was scheduled to play Fiorentina, and Roma was set to host Lecce, with both matches potentially impacting the league standings.