Fabregas frames Champions League as 'unexpected gift' for Como
The Como manager insists domestic consistency remains the priority, citing the club’s rapid ascent from Serie B just two years ago.
Como manager Cesc Fabregas has described the club’s Champions League qualification as an "unexpected gift," a framing that underscores the institution’s rapid structural ascent. The side, which was competing in Serie B until two years ago, secured a top-four finish in the 2025-26 Serie A campaign to earn a place in Europe’s premier competition.
Despite the European exposure, Fabregas has stated that the 2026-27 season’s primary objectives remain the Serie A title race and the Coppa Italia. Speaking to DAZN Italia ahead of the league opener, the manager emphasised that the additional European fixtures are a bonus rather than the central focus of the club’s strategic planning.
The comments come as Como prepares to open their domestic campaign against Udinese on Saturday. The match is scheduled for 17.30 BST at the Stadio Friuli in Udine. Fabregas noted that the squad must "start afresh" despite their recent success, highlighting the need for fresh motivation and energy as they navigate a schedule that includes playing three times a week.
A key part of Fabregas’s governance strategy involves building a sustainable club identity to avoid the volatility that has seen other teams drop back to Serie B after brief periods of success. He expressed a desire to establish solid foundations that will endure over the next five to twenty years, prioritising long-term stability over short-term European glory.
The manager also highlighted the arrival of 19-year-old Mattia Liberali, who joined from Milan for a fee of €6m. Liberali, who turned down the opportunity to return to his former club, impressed during pre-season friendlies at the Emirates and Anfield. Fabregas praised the young Italian’s "fire in his eyes" and his potential to help develop the club’s youth academy.
Liberali is expected to feature among the substitutes for the Udinese fixture, marking his first competitive appearance for the club. The signing is viewed as a significant step in Como’s effort to integrate home-grown talent into their first-team structure.
