Showdown of the Old Guard — Como 1907 vs Parma Calcio 1913: In Pictures 18/03/2023

Fàbregas vs Buffon. Vintage. Both ageing like fine wine or, I guess, an Italian goalkeeper.

While the presence of two World champions and legends of the game can’t be ignored, the captains unfortunately had games to forget. Cesc leaving the field with an injury in the first half and Gianluigi conceding two in a Parma loss.

Como opened the scoring after just five minutes via a brilliant finish from Parma native and youth product Alberto Cerri, who refuses to celebrate and apologises to the travelling fans after his goal. The rest of the first half is spent staying compact and trying to hit Parma on the counter, with the Gialloblu limited to only a few half decent chances. Early in the second half Como make it two by way of a Tommaso Arrigoni free kick that seems to go completely through the Parma wall and catch Buffon out of position. A very awkward looking goal. Just five minutes later things get worse for the visiting team when 19-year-old defender Alessandro Circati is sent off for bringing down Patrick Cutrone when he was judged to be, somewhat debatably, through on goal. It didn’t matter to Como’s rowdy home support though. As far as they were concerned it was job done, and it’s hard to disagree with them as the rest of the second half plays out without much fuss.

Particularly impressive performances from Nicholas Ioannou, Luis Binks & goalkeeper Alfred Gomis helps push Como within reach of an unexpected late playoff charge, with the home side remaining unbeaten in their last seven games.

Here’s the photos from our weekend at the lake: