Cesc Fabregas is the driving force behind Como’s rise in Italian football. The 39-year-old Spaniard led the club to its first-ever Champions League qualification, finishing above AC Milan and Juventus in the previous season. Source: thesun.co.uk.
Como’s Champions League Debut: A Historic Milestone
For the first time, Como has reached the UEFA Champions League group stage. This came after a fifth-place finish in Serie A, following a 3-1 win over Fiorentina.
The achievement marks a cultural shift. A once-underrated club is now competing on the world stage.
The group includes matches against top European sides: Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona. These matchups highlight the club’s new status in international football.
Training Ground and Community Connection
The club trains at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium, which holds 13,000 fans. For Champions League matches, capacity drops to 11,000 to allow space for staff and fans to celebrate.
Osian Roberts, Como’s head of development, says the club is central to the Lake Como experience. The region draws over five million tourists yearly, including celebrities like George Clooney, Hugh Grant, and Keira Knightley.
Roberts, who served as Wales’ technical director and deputy to Gary Speed, Chris Coleman, and Ryan Giggs, said: “We’re not a football club in the city. We’re part of the Lake Como experience. It’s all the elements that make up the region.”
Why Fabregas Is Central to This Rise
Roberts calls Fabregas the club’s ‘Walt Disney’—a metaphor for his transformative leadership and emotional impact.
Before joining Como, Fabregas had a brief stint as a Serie B manager. He helped build structure and vision in a team.
After that, he led the club to fourth place in his first season. This shows both tactical skill and team-building ability.
Fabregas’s coaching style is built on humility and learning. He regularly reminds players and staff to reflect on performance and take personal responsibility.
“He points the finger at himself first,” Roberts said. “There isn’t one day that goes by where Cesc doesn’t remind the team about the importance of humility in how we work.”
On the Pitch: Early Champions League Results
Como beat RB Leipzig 4-1 in their Champions League debut. The win showed attacking confidence and team cohesion.
They lost 3-2 to Feyenoord in their second match. Afterward, Fabregas admitted mistakes in preparation and during the game.
Roberts said: “He made some mistakes in the preparation and during the game. That’s him. He doesn’t think he knows it all. He’s a true student of the game.”
Club Culture and Leadership
Fabregas has stayed with Como despite offers from Inter Milan and Roma. His decision reflects a shared vision between the club and its leadership.
Roberts said: “The football we play is Cesc’s philosophy. He will only improve.”
Fabregas leads by example. He works early, reviews tactics, and stays involved in training—just as he did as a player at Arsenal and Barcelona.
Roberts believes the club will grow stronger with Fabregas’s continued presence. “The longer he’s here, the further he’ll drive the club and the better we’ll be when that day comes.”
When asked about the future, Roberts noted three key questions: longevity, consistency, and whether Fabregas can succeed at a bigger club. “Time will tell. But I can wait a few seasons before that happens.”
What This Means for Como
Como’s rise goes beyond football. The club now has a fashion brand, showing football is part of the region’s culture.
Roberts said the club has a responsibility to maintain a positive image for Lake Como. “We have a responsibility to the greater community. Our mission is to preserve the positive outlook people have of the region.”
As Como faces Manchester United in the Champions League, the focus is on professionalism, humility, and long-term growth.
Roberts concluded: “We have to stay grounded, work hard and let’s see where we are after these amazing games and experiences. We want to compete at this level.”
What to Watch Next
Como will face Manchester United in a Champions League group match. The game takes place in the Lake Como holiday hotspot.
This fixture will test the club’s ability to perform under pressure and showcase its identity and values.
With Fabregas at the helm, Como’s journey shows steady progress in both performance and cultural impact. The club is no longer just a football side—it’s a symbol of regional pride and community spirit.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: original publisher image. Via original publisher. Image source
