A winless return across their previous three league matches (D1, L2) had seen Como surrender their position in the UEFA Champions League qualification berth.
Nevertheless, some of the visitors’ faltering confidence was restored as Anastasios Douvikas planted an unstoppable 10th-minute header from Lucas Da Cunha’s delightful delivery past Justin Bijlow, giving them an early stepping stone to three points.
Cesc Fabregas’s side then nearly doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute, as Serie A MVP hopeful Nico Paz skilfully manoeuvred himself past two defenders into a shooting position just outside the area, only to fire a couple of millimetres wide of the far corner.
If Paz was frustrated before the half-hour mark, the playmaker was more exasperated after it, as his goal-bound header beat Bijlow but not the post.
That irritation would surely have been felt throughout the whole Como set-up if Genoa – who surprisingly left their two leading goalscorers this season, Lorenzo Colombo and Ruslan Malinovskyi, on the bench – had got level before half-time.
Yet, goalkeeper Jean Butez was in no mood for that to happen, pulling off a stunning save to stop Sebastian Otoa’s header from taking away his clean sheet.
Fabregas and Co. were dealt a blow during the interval as Paz was replaced by Maxence Caqueret after picking up what appeared to be an injury. The visitors’ enforced formation change led to Genoa going on the attack after only two second-half minutes, with Mikael Egill Ellertsson launching a long-range rocket off target.
The Rossoblu’s determination didn’t stop there either, as Butez produced another smart save to thwart Morten Frendrup shortly after the hour mark.
Como found extra reserves of energy following that crucial moment, and doubled their lead against the run of play. Looking to impress, substitute Caqueret did that in the 68th minute, as his instinctive flick-on in the middle of the area allowed Assane Diao to head the ball home at the near post.
Arguably, this was Como’s most important three points of the season, considering their recent decline in form. For now, the European hopefuls have moved above Roma into fifth position in the Serie A table, and now only two points behind fourth-placed Juventus.
Meanwhile, Genoa look set for a third successive bottom-half finish since their return to the top flight, with Daniele De Rossi’s men remaining in 14th in the table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Da Cunha (Como)
