Como clinches – Como sealed a Champions League place for 2026-27 by beating Cremonese after Milan’s late stumble against Cagliari condemned both AC Milan and Juventus to Europa League football. The result ends a dramatic final-day race for Serie A’s top places, with Inter, Na
Como’s players kept pushing long after the game started to tilt in their favor, and it didn’t take long for the meaning of it all to land. In the scramble for European football on the final day, a win was enough—until it wasn’t for AC Milan and Juventus.
At the San Siro, Milan scored early against Cagliari, only to concede twice. The match ended with Milan losing 2-1, leaving the door open for Como to chase a top-four finish. Como did exactly that, beating Cremonese to secure the Champions League spot that it had been hunting down the table.
The consequences hit immediately. Como will play in the Champions League next season. while Christian Pulisic and his side will now fight for Europa League football. Inter. who was confirmed as champions several weeks ago. will be joined in Italy’s Champions League group by Napoli and AS Roma alongside Como. AC Milan and Juventus will head to the Europa League. Atalanta finished in seventh, enough to secure a Conference League place.
Juventus entered the final day with its sights set on a return to the Champions League. It had a slight advantage coming into the round after the start of the Turin derby was delayed due to fan clashes before the contest. That delay gave Juventus a clearer picture of what it needed after the first half—but Como’s victory changed the math entirely. With Como taking the result. Juventus would need eight more goals to catch up in the table. a gap described as too large to overcome.
The Champions League place also completes a remarkable personal arc for Como and the ownership behind it. Como, founded in 1907, ran into financial issues in the early 2000s before regrouping under new ownership in 2017. Cesc Fabregas joined the star-studded ownership group in 2022, and the club earned promotion to Serie A in 2023–24. With Fabregas managing the team, Como booked its way into top European competition just two seasons later.
While the European race was shaping itself, the bottom of the table closed with its own kind of finality. Pisa and Hellas Verona were relegated along with Cremonese. Venezia and Frosinone were promoted from Serie B along with the winner of the playoff between Monza and Catanzaro. Monza holds a 2-0 edge after the first leg. with the second leg scheduled for May 29 at Monza’s U-Power Stadium.
The next big European spotlight is already set at the top. The 2026 UEFA Champions League final will see Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain after both clubs survived dramatic semifinals.
Como AC Milan Juventus Champions League 2026 Europa League Serie A Cesc Fabregas Christian Pulisic Cremonese Inter Napoli AS Roma Atalanta Pisa Hellas Verona Venezia Frosinone Monza Catanzaro