It was only Como 1907’s second ever home game in the Champions League, in the club’s first season in the competition. Manchester United were visiting the Sinigaglia and, among the supporters, there were a few faces familiar to film and television fans. Florence Pugh, Tom Welling and brothers Joe and Finn Cole were guests on an evening that would give everyone plenty to talk about.
For Finn Cole, it was a return visit to the Sinigaglia. The actor had been to watch Como before and this time brought his partner, Florence Pugh, along for an evening of Champions League football by the lake.
From independent films to major studio productions, Pugh has built a career spanning Midsommar, Black Widow, Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two. Her portrayal of Amy March in Little Women earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
There was also a face many viewers immediately associate with Superman: Tom Welling, who played Clark Kent in Smallville. The actor shared a video from the stands on social media, offering his own glimpse of the matchday atmosphere. The clip, also picked up by SportMediaset, brought a little of the evening to people following from afar. Even Superman was in the stands for this one.
Joe and Finn Cole were familiar faces for Peaky Blinders fans. Brothers in real life, they played John Shelby and Michael Gray in the series. Joe also went on to star in Gangs of London: different careers, with an evening at the Sinigaglia to add to their shared memories.
Ryan Giggs was among the guests too, having won the Champions League with Manchester United in 1999 and 2008. His presence brought a direct connection to the visiting club’s European history as Como took its first steps in the same competition.
On the pitch, Cesc Fàbregas’ side won 4-1, with two goals from Nico Paz and one apiece from Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón. A result to remember for Como and the supporters who have followed the club along the way.
At the Sinigaglia, people who had been coming for a lifetime and others discovering it for the first time had a match to watch together. Champions League football by the lake was still something new. It was lovely to share it.