Como chief: Nico Paz is world class and heir to Messi's No 10

📰 Como's sporting director has backed Nico Paz to take over Messi's Argentina No 10 shirt, and talked up his side ahead of the visit of leaders Roma. 📌 Key points 🌟 Carlalberto Ludi called Nico Paz 'world class'. 🔟 He said Paz has the qualities to inherit Messi's Argentina No 10. 🇦🇷 Paz scored from a Messi assist in Messi's farewell game. 🆚 Ludi said Como want to show they are at Roma's level. 🏟️ Como host league leaders Roma on 11 October. 📝 What happened 🎤 Ludi told Sky Sport Italia on 7 October that Paz is "world class, both in terms of his work ethic and his talent". He said Paz has what it takes to inherit Messi's No 10 for Argentina and understands the daily commitment that such an honour demands. 🇦🇷 Paz scored a curling goal at the Monumental in Buenos Aires on 6 October in Messi's last international. Messi set it up, and Argentina beat Benin 3-0. 🆚 On this weekend's opponents, Ludi said: "We want to prove that we can be at their level too." He admitted it is a challenge to bed in seven or eight new players while playing in both the Champions League and Serie A. 📊 By the numbers • Como: 5 games, 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, 10 points (8th) • Roma: 5 games, 4 wins, 1 draw, 13 points (1st) • Messi's farewell: Argentina 3-0 Benin, one goal for Paz • New arrivals at Como: seven or eight 🔭 Why it matters Beating the leaders would put Como, in their first Champions League season, firmly in the race for the top places. With Messi retired, the question of who wears Argentina's No 10 adds even more attention on Paz. Como host Roma at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 12.30pm local time on 11 October in Serie A Matchday 6.