Italian Clubs Struggle in Youth League as Como and Napoli Suffer Away Defeats
It was a difficult matchday for Italy’s representatives in the UEFA Youth League. After Inter were beaten by Feyenoord and Roma were held to a draw by Manchester United, featuring Wayne Rooney’s son, Como and Napoli also failed to secure points on Wednesday, 4 November. Como lost 2-1 away to Lens, while Napoli were defeated 3-1 by Porto.
The results leave both sides with work to do in the competition. Como remain on four points after a second defeat, while Napoli have only three points from their previous-round victory over Villarreal. Neither team is currently in a qualifying position, making upcoming fixtures increasingly important. Any prediction about their chances of progressing will depend on whether they can turn promising moments into more consistent performances.
Lens U19 2-1 Como U19: Grini’s First-Half Double Decides It
Como were put under pressure from the opening minutes in France, and Lens made their strong start count. Grini opened the scoring in the eighth minute, giving the hosts an early advantage and forcing Gianluca Falsini’s side to chase the game. The goal set the tone for a first half in which Lens were more decisive in the key moments.
The French side doubled its lead in the 38th minute. After Como’s defence managed only a short clearance, Grini found space to finish and register his second goal of the match. The quick succession of setbacks left Como facing a two-goal deficit just before the interval, but the visitors responded with an important goal of their own.
In the 44th minute, Cassano stretched to reach the ball and reduce the gap to 2-1. The finish gave Como a route back into the contest and offered a boost before half-time. Cassano, who has developed within the environment associated with Cesc Fàbregas, provided one of the visitors’ brightest attacking moments.
Como Push, but Lens Hold on
The second half was less open, with the pace dropping after the break. Como looked for an equaliser, but they struggled to create a clear-cut chance capable of seriously testing Lens goalkeeper Jourdren. The hosts protected their lead, while Como’s attempts to build pressure did not produce the sustained attacking threat they needed.
Bosze had a late opportunity to change the outcome, but his stoppage-time effort sailed over the crossbar. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 Lens victory and left Como with their second loss of the Youth League campaign. With four points, they sit outside the play-off places and will need a stronger return in their remaining matches.
For Falsini’s team, the game offered a clear lesson in the importance of defensive concentration. Lens capitalised on a loose clearance and punished Como early, while the visitors’ late first-half goal showed they could still create danger. The challenge now is to bring that attacking resolve into a more complete performance across 90 minutes.
Porto U19 3-1 Napoli U19: Hosts Take Control After the Break
Napoli also endured a difficult away trip, falling 3-1 to Porto. The Italian side’s afternoon began poorly when Zappala conceded a penalty. Tiago Silva stepped up and converted from the spot in the eighth minute, giving Porto an early lead and putting Napoli on the back foot.
Napoli went into the break still within reach, but Porto increased their advantage after the restart. Tiago Silva turned provider, setting up Eduardo Ferreira to make it 2-0. The goal strengthened the home side’s control and left Napoli needing a quick response to keep the match alive.
That response did not arrive before Porto scored again. Duarte Cunha found the net in the 64th minute to extend the lead to 3-0, placing the hosts in a commanding position. Napoli did manage to pull one goal back seven minutes later, when Liccardo finished after receiving an assist from Baridò. The goal gave the visitors a brief opening, but Porto goalkeeper Nikolov and the home defence held firm for the remainder of the match.
Napoli Need Points to Re-enter the Qualification Picture
The defeat leaves Antonio Nocerino’s team with three points, earned in their previous-round win at Villarreal. That return keeps Napoli outside the qualifying places and increases the pressure on the rest of their Youth League schedule. Their next performances will need to combine greater defensive discipline with more sustained attacking play.
Porto’s early penalty and second-half goals proved decisive, while Napoli’s late reply came too late to alter the result. The visitors will be disappointed by the way the match developed, particularly after conceding three times before Liccardo’s strike. Still, the goal and Baridò’s contribution offered a reminder that Napoli can create opportunities when they move the ball forward effectively.
Italian Youth Teams Face a Crucial Stretch
The latest results underline how demanding the Youth League can be for young sides playing away from home. Across the matchday, Italian teams struggled to turn competitive spells into points: Roma drew in Manchester, Inter lost to Feyenoord, and both Como and Napoli were defeated in France and Portugal. The outcomes place added importance on the next round, when every mistake could have a significant impact on the standings.
For Como, the priority will be to tighten up at the back without losing the attacking energy shown by Cassano and his teammates. Napoli, meanwhile, need a more composed start after conceding an early penalty against Porto. A strong response from either club could revive its qualification hopes, but the margin for error is narrowing.
At this stage, any football prediction about the Italian sides’ progression remains uncertain. Como have four points and Napoli have three, meaning both still have an opportunity to climb the table. Their chances will depend on how effectively they address the weaknesses exposed on this matchday and whether they can deliver more consistent performances in the fixtures ahead.
