Como’s first Champions League night ended in a 4-1 victory over Leipzig, but Cesc Fàbregas has already turned his attention to the demands still ahead in the league phase — including Barcelona, whom he believes are currently operating at a frightening level.
| Champions League fixture | Result |
|---|---|
| Como v Leipzig | 4-1 |
Fàbregas’ squad is notably young, with many players aged 20 or 21, and the Como coach said the immediate task is to keep their feet on the ground before Monday’s next match. He described his side as young and hungry, but stressed that development and discipline must accompany the excitement of such a landmark European result.
Fàbregas warns Como after historic opening night
The former Barcelona midfielder was pleased with Como’s performance, particularly before the interval, when he felt his team played at a very high standard. Como also began the second half well, although Leipzig later found more joy in wide areas and made control more difficult.
Fàbregas responded by dropping his block slightly, allowing Leipzig more of the ball and looking to hurt them in transition. He said the adjustment worked, but warned that the 4-0 stage of the match had underlined how quickly a Champions League contest can change after one mistake. Leipzig’s late goal, he suggested, was a reminder that a rival can be given belief at this level.
“It is a positive beginning, but it is only a beginning,” Fàbregas said. “In the Champions League, an error can give the other team momentum. We have to continue.”
Barcelona identified as the benchmark
Como will meet Barcelona later in the league phase, and Fàbregas spoke with admiration after watching Barça face Feyenoord. He called Feyenoord a strong side, but said Barcelona have the ability to make opponents look poor because they consistently find an answer to each problem posed by a match.
He noted that man-to-man marking can be attempted against players such as Rodri or Pedri, yet Barcelona still create solutions across the pitch. In his view, the level remains high regardless of the personnel selected, and he said Barcelona’s current form is “scary”.
More than one way to win
Fàbregas said modern football requires teams to be equipped for different types of match. A complete side, he argued, must master several approaches because games contain smaller tactical battles that need separate solutions.
Some fixtures can be won by repeating the same plan throughout, he said, while others demand the management of particular moments — especially in elite European competition, where Como are still gaining experience.
The 38-year-old also praised the influence of Spanish coaches at the top end of the game. He said their presence was not accidental, pointing to the footballing development shown by Spanish youngsters at the World Cup and arguing that the country’s coaching standard is exceptionally high. Fàbregas said he was proud of that generation of coaches and viewed himself among those younger managers learning from established figures while pushing forward.
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Como 4-1 Leipzig: Cesc Fàbregas praises Barcelona after Champions League debut
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Como opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-1 win over Leipzig as Cesc Fàbregas praised Barcelona and urged his young squad to stay grounded.
