Como's Champions League bid rocked by defeat at Sassuolo

Como's bid for Champions League football suffered another blow on Friday with a 2-1 defeat at Sassuolo, while Serie A leaders Inter Milan attempt to move provisionally 12 points clear.

Cristian Volpato's brilliant lobbed finished at the end of a rapid counter-attack and a M'Bala Nzola strike, goals which came within two minutes near the end of the first half, gave Sassuolo victory in Reggio Emilia.

A second straight defeat leaves Como fifth, two points behind Juventus who host Bologna on Sunday night and with Roma one point behind in sixth ahead of their clash with Atalanta on Saturday.

AC Milan have also been given a reprieve, the seven-time European champions in third and five points ahead of Como but on a run of three defeats in their last four fixtures.

Como had looked on course to secure a sensational top four placing at half-time of last week's home match against Inter, a fixture which Cesc Fabregas' team led by two just before half-time.

But they eventually fell to a 4-3 defeat and Friday's loss leaves the traditionally small club, backed by tobacco giants Djarum, potentially five points away from the Champions League spots come the end of the weekend.