Nico Paz said he stayed at Como for “nights like this” after the Italian club marked their first-ever European appearance with a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Martin Baturina opened the scoring before Anastasios Douvikas doubled Como’s lead. Assane Diao added a third after half-time, Andrija Maksimović pulled one back for Leipzig, and Máximo Perrone restored the three-goal advantage in the 90th minute. Paz supplied two assists, including the pass for Perrone’s late goal, and was named Player of the Match.

“It was a historic night; we had an incredible game,” Paz told Sky Sport Italia. “It was for nights like this that I wanted to stay. I knew this is where I would grow the most, and I’m really pleased with my decision. I made the right choice.”

The result made Como only the fourth Italian club to win its opening European Cup or Champions League match, following Juventus, AC Milan and Udinese. Como also became only the second Italian side to score at least four goals on its competition debut, matching Sampdoria’s 5-0 victory over Rosenborg in 1991.

Paz’s performance was central to the historic result, but Como’s success was a collective achievement. Baturina scored and assisted, Douvikas converted clinically and Diao gave the Leipzig defence constant problems, while Cesc Fàbregas’ side dominated the major chances.

Fàbregas urged his players not to become carried away, warning that Como must maintain the same mentality while playing every few days in Serie A and Europe. The victory nevertheless gives the club an extraordinary foundation for its first Champions League campaign and validates Paz’s decision to continue developing in Lombardy.