Serie A: Senegalese national team starlet Diao stars as Como win at Monza

Como and Senegal attacker Assane Diao. Photo Credit: Como 1907/Facebook

Recent Senegal national team debutant Assane Diao continued his excellent 2024-25 season at Italian Serie A side Como on Saturday with a goal and an assist in Como's 3-1 victory at Monza.

The 19-year-old former Spain youth national team player was brilliant in the first half. After Como went down to an early goal, Diao set up Jonathan Ikoné who produced a brilliant goal from the right wing. Before halftime, Diao found the goal himself with a striker's finish from eight yards out.

Mërgim Vojvoda put the visitors beyond reach with his goal early in the second half. After earning promotion to the Serie A as runners-up at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Como are well on their way to maintaining their top flight status. The club based in the Lombardy Region are now in 13th place with seven matches left to play, ten points ahead of the relegation zone.

As for Diao, the young attacker continues to establish himself as a player to watch for the future in both Italian club football and with the Senegalese selection. He has six goals and one assist in thirteen matches since joining Como in January from Spanish club Real Betis.

Diao debuted for Senegal during the March FIFA window, making his senior Lions of Teranga debut as a substitute against Sudan in a 0-0 draw before playing the full match in a 2-0 victory over Togo. Born in Senegal, Diao moved to Spain at the age of three and developed in Spanish club football, representing Spain at the 2023 and 2024 editions of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship before switching his allegiance to Senegal.