Como’s stadium gives United’s Red Army a Champions League treat

On Wednesday night, Manchester United’s travelling supporters will converge on the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium for a Champions League clash with Como 1907, marking United’s 149th away game in the European Cup or Champions League and, according to many, the most picturesque European away of the season.

United fans have had little to celebrate this campaign, but the journey from the banks of the River Irwell to the shores of Lake Como offers a striking contrast to their domestic frustrations.

From the Irwell to Lake Como

The Red Army has mobilised from the River Irwell’s banks to the southern shore of Lake Como, preparing for Wednesday night’s encounter with the Italian side. It will be United’s 149th appearance away from Old Trafford in the European Cup or Champions League, a record that no previous outing matched in setting.

The quirky Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium

Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium sits at the foot of pre‑Alpine mountains on the south‑western branch of Lake Como, a location more suited to luxury hotels than a football ground. Full‑back Diogo Dalot joked his crosses might end up in the water, underscoring the stadium’s unconventional placement.

Municipally owned rather than privately held, the arena escaped demolition during the club’s long amateur period, preserving what many now call the most unique arena in European competition. Fans can arrive by yacht or seaplane as the Champions League anthem sounds, yet a simple ten‑minute lakeside stroll from the town centre remains an option for those without INEOS‑level cash.

Como’s rapid rise and stadium upgrade

Como 1907 have surged from Serie D to the Champions League in just seven years, mirroring the city’s own ascent onto the global radar. When the draw was made in August, the club was slated to host matches in Sassuolo because the Sinigaglia did not meet UEFA standards.

Last month a rapid redevelopment programme, including a new stand that replaced the old V‑shaped Curva Como, secured UEFA approval, allowing the club to debut the upgraded ground against RB Leipzig a week later. United will become only the second continental visitors after Leipzig.

Cesc Fàbregas’s side and the home fans are expected to be enthusiastic hosts, a scenario that could prove challenging for Michael Carrick but beneficial for United’s travelling crowd. The novelty of the Sinigaglia will inevitably fade as further redevelopment turns it into a shiny new arena, raising questions about balancing luxury with the venue’s soul.

Designs for the forthcoming upgrades look impressive, especially for affluent visitors, and there is hope that Como will not simply emulate United’s legacy‑building approach. For now, the surroundings for United fans are less salubrious than the promised future, but the experience of a European away trip often hinges on such unique settings.

The trip forms the final leg of an eight‑day, three‑game excursion that includes stops in Madrid and Elland Road. The contrast between Leeds and this corner of Lombardy – football by the lake rather than the M621 – should heighten the enjoyment of United’s maiden journey, at least until the football itself begins.