Como secured a return to Serie A on Friday for the first time since 2003 with a 1-1 draw at home to Cosenza that earned them the runners-up spot in Italy’s second tier. They will be joined in the top flight next season by Serie B champions Parma, who made sure of their promotion at the start of the month. Como suffered multiple bankruptcies and tumbled down the pyramid after being relegated from Serie A little over two decades ago.

The club from Lombardy have former Arsenal teammates Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry as minority shareholders, with ex-Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise a board member.

Como only returned to professional football with their promotion to Serie C in 2019. But, bankrolled by Indonesian tobacco giants Djarum, they have stormed through the divisions.

The third promoted club will be decided by play-offs featuring the teams finishing between third and eighth, which include Venezia and Sampdoria.