Como secure Champions League football with win over relegated Cremonese

On a night of contrasts, Como beat Cremonese 4-1 to relegate their hosts after just one Serie A season, and sneak into the fourth and final UEFA Champions League (UCL) spot - capitalising on AC Milan\u2019s shock 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari - just two years after gaining top-flight promotion.

Only traditional giants Inter Milan and Juventus had landed more shots on target than Como’s 188 before the final round of matches, but the visitors’ attacking advances were limited to only a single shot off-target in the opening quarter-hour in Cremona.

Meanwhile, Cremonese had no choice but to translate their best form of defence into attack after relegation rivals Lecce took an early lead against Genoa.

However, Marco Giampaolo’s goal-shy side were unable to do anything of note, and Como’s superior attacking threat paid dividends nine minutes before half-time.

It initially appeared that Jesus Rodriguez’s effort was heading straight into Emil Audero’s arms, but the ball ended up in the back of the net after taking a cruel deflection off Alberto Grassi’s outstretched thigh.

But if Cremonese's fate wasn’t sealed already, it appeared done and dusted six minutes into the second half, as Rodriguez turned provider for top scorer Anastasios Douvikas to fire past Audero from inside the penalty area for his 14th goal of the season.

However, the hosts were handed a lifeline only a few minutes later, as Jacobo Ramon conceded a penalty after bringing down Jamie Vardy.

Federico Bonazzoli didn’t need to be told twice about the importance of his impending task, as he confidently converted the resulting spot-kick to give his side hope.

Remarkably, it all went wrong for Cremonese in the space of an unbelievable nine minutes at the Stadio Giovanni Zini.

First, referee Fabio Maresca awarded another penalty in the 70th minute - this time in Como’s favour - after Matteo Bianchetti clashed with Douvikas.

However, before captain Lucas Da Cunha could lead by example in restoring his side’s two-goal advantage, Grassi saw red for remonstrating against the decision, and substitutes Milan Duric and David Okereke were also ordered to take an early shower.

To rub salt into his opponent's opening wounds, Da Cunha bagged a brace seven minutes later, with a fine finish past Audero at his near post to bring Cremonese’s nightmare to an end.

Giampaolo’s side cannot really feel hard done by this season after triumphing in only eight of their 38 matches this season, while Como will play European football for only the second-ever time in their history, after their participation in the 1980/81 edition of the Mitropacup.

Thanks to Cagliari playing their part against all odds, despite having nothing major to pursue, next season's European jaunt will be far more significant for the Lariani.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Da Cunha (Como)

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