Como beat Venezia 1-0 as Da Cunha's penalty lifts them into fourth in Serie A

Penalty settles a tight match

Como beat Venezia 1-0 at the Sinigaglia on Sunday, 1 November, in the tenth round of Serie A. The only goal came in the 43rd minute, when Lucas Da Cunha converted a penalty that Tasos Douvikas had won after a foul by Juan Jesus inside the box. Beating Venezia proved harder than the table had suggested before kickoff. Cesc Fabregas kept Butez in goal and played Ricci alongside Milla in midfield, with Da Cunha, Paz and Baturina behind Douvikas. Como controlled much of the first half but struggled to create clear chances, and Venezia goalkeeper Stankovic kept out Da Cunha's best effort in the 24th minute. The goal was the first penalty Como had scored all season.

A penalty awarded, then revoked

Venezia had their own spot kick earlier in the first half. Busio controlled the ball on a counterattack and played it into the box, where it struck Milla's arm as Milla tried to challenge Busio. Referee Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi pointed to the spot after a moment's hesitation, and the video review (VAR) was then called. Around the 30th minute she revoked the decision, and coach Davide Nicola and the Venezia players protested. Accounts of the reason differ: one says an earlier touch by Da Cunha had deflected the ball onto Milla's arm, while another says the referee judged that the contact was not punishable.

Second half and discipline

After the break Como produced less and took fewer risks, without creating a decisive chance. The second half had less rhythm than the first, and the match was more balanced on the pitch. Stankovic made saves early in the half, first from a Milla corner and then from a Baturina shot. Venezia's only real attempt came from Yeboah in the middle of the second half, and despite a good performance they left without a point. Fabregas made three changes in response to Nicola's substitutions. Como had eight corners to one. Sohm and Juan Jesus were booked for foul play and Kaiki for unsporting behaviour. Venezia were also without Thierry Correia through injury.

Table and what comes next

Como's fourth consecutive Serie A win lifts them to 23 points, which is fourth in the table. They are two points behind Inter in second place and one point behind Roma on 24. Como have passed AC Milan, coached by Ruben Amorim, who won the Milan derby, and now sit ahead of Milan's 21 points.

Roma24

Como23

AC Milan21

Venezia3

Roma

24 points

Como

23 points

AC Milan

21 points

Venezia

3 points

Data from the article text

Venezia stay bottom on three points, their third straight defeat in the competition.