The fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase concluded with significant results for Italian clubs, as Napoli drew 1-1 with Porto and Como defeated Lens 3-0. In the match between Porto and Napoli, the home side took an early lead in the 11th minute when Bednarek headed in a corner kick delivered by Veiga. However, Scott McTominay equalized for the visitors in the 43rd minute, securing a point for the Neapolitans.
Meanwhile, Como dominated their fixture against Lens with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. The Greek striker Tasos Douvikas opened the scoring in the seventh minute, capitalizing on a corner routine involving Perrone to net from close range. Douvikas completed his brace in the 32nd minute after a cross by Nico Paz found Valle, who recycled the ball for the easy finish. Nico Paz added a third goal in the 40th minute to seal the result.
Following his goal, Nico Paz chose not to celebrate traditionally but instead displayed a jersey featuring a black-and-white photo of Jesus de Miguel, a Tenerife forward who died following an on-field collision during a Spanish second-division match. The shirt bore the message "Rest in peace," reflecting Paz's personal connection to the Canary Islands as he was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Ahead of the matches, Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri highlighted the severe challenges posed by a depleted squad due to injuries, noting that the team had only 13 players available. Despite these difficulties, Allegri maintained confidence in qualifying for the playoffs, stating that the match against Porto was important but not decisive. He emphasized that the team's fate would likely be determined in future fixtures against Bruges, Sabah, and Viking, aiming to secure at least 10 points.
Como manager Cesc Fabregas expressed enthusiasm about the atmosphere at the stadium, describing it as a warm environment similar to his experiences with Monaco. He identified Lens forward Thauvin as a key opponent with exceptional qualities who would require close marking. The Como lineup featured a probable four-man defense with Yan Couto and Álex Valle on the flanks, while Nico Paz remained an indispensable figure in attack alongside Douvikas.
Sources: ANSA Sport.