Como’s European season reaches another marker on Wednesday when Manchester United arrive at the Sinigaglia for the third matchday of the League Phase. For Cesc Fabregas, it is an occasion to recognise without letting the occasion overwhelm a side still building its place among the continent’s established clubs.
The decision
Fabregas wants Como to meet United with composure and intent rather than anxiety. He described the evening as historic for the club, its supporters and the city, but insisted that his players and staff must remain calm while carrying the ambition to win.
The United visit has been framed by their difficult recent results, though Como’s coach refused to attach much value to the idea of a crisis. In his view, football’s constant cycle of matches leaves little room for such labels: every game is an opportunity for 11 players against 11 to compete. “Crisis is something you create,” was the essence of his response.
That does not mean ignoring the scale of the opponent. Fabregas highlighted United’s danger on the counter-attack and said Como must find a way to limit it without abandoning their own identity. Preparation, he said, involves identifying weaknesses while retaining the principles that have brought the team this far. Ultimately, he added, matches belong to the players rather than the staff around them.
His message to the squad was equally clear: respect United, remain humble, and do not allow the club’s name to create fear. A coach’s duty, Fabregas said, is to give players the confidence to step onto the pitch and play. Pretending to be more than they are would only make the task harder.
A night that reflects Como’s rise
The fixture carries particular weight for a coach whose association with Como began four years ago as a player. Fabregas recalled the difference between the club he encountered then and the one preparing to host Manchester United now, while stressing that there remains plenty to learn from an opponent with such history and quality.
He declined to discuss any hypothetical future on the United bench, saying it would not be appropriate towards Michael Carrick or towards the English club itself.
Instead, Fabregas returned to the collective work behind Como’s ascent. After ending his playing career, he coached the Primavera before being asked by the president to set out his plan and vision. He cited the progress of players including Maximo Perrone, Assane Diao and Nico Paz, and praised president Mirwan Suwarso’s role in providing what the football department needs. Carlalberto Ludi was also included in a picture of a club working with mutual trust.
Fabregas described the atmosphere around the Sinigaglia as one of the most rewarding parts of the project. Supporters, he said, have continued to stand by the team even after defeats, and that connection has helped create a family feeling around the club. The important thing, in his words, is not to lose sight of Como’s starting point. If the work continues, he believes this chapter in the club’s history can endure in the memory.
The coach spoke emotionally about milestones already reached: promotion, a tenth-place finish and qualification for the Champions League. Those moments matter, but they cannot become a resting place. Last season is over, he said; the team must work for the present and for what can still come.
Injuries and selection
Como will have to manage significant absences. Jesus Rodriguez suffered a problem at the very end of training that appears serious and is expected to keep him out for an extended spell. Trevoh Chalobah will be unavailable for at least two weeks.
Moise Kean could be fit again on Saturday, while Diao is expected back after the international break and may have a chance of returning for the match against Inter.
Fabregas confirmed that Tasos Douvikas will start against United, but kept his goalkeeper choice private. Jean Butez remains an important figure, he said, while Robert Sanchez has created a competition that should raise standards across the group. Both goalkeepers will receive opportunities, with consistency rewarded.
Learning through Europe
Como are navigating a schedule unfamiliar to many members of the squad, but Fabregas sees the workload as something to handle naturally. The team must stay measured, he said, while maintaining its hunger. Improvement is the central aim, and he expects the club to be further forward in five years than it is now.
He also drew a distinction between European analysis and the weekly demands of Serie A. In Champions League football, the teams studied are generally the dominant forces in their respective competitions, with clearly recognisable ideas and a habit of winning. Italy, he said, remains especially difficult because of the widespread use of man-to-man marking across the pitch.
Reflecting on the Feyenoord match, Fabregas felt Como had done many things well both with and without possession. Home matches bring a different feeling from away fixtures, he noted, and inexperience can sometimes affect a team. It may happen again, but the key is to ensure there is something tangible to take from those occasions.
Nico Paz and the standard required
Nico Paz echoed his coach’s restraint ahead of United’s arrival. The 22-year-old said he knows there are many areas of his game still to improve and that he works on them daily with Fabregas and the coaching staff. His focus is on developing rather than settling for what he has already achieved.
He acknowledged that United may not be in their strongest period, but said the visitors still possess excellent players and a top coach. Como, he said, will need a major performance if they are to win.
For Paz, Wednesday represents recognition of the work done by the club over recent seasons. He said the group is proud to have earned the right to play a fixture of this kind, but believes it will take an almost flawless display against a side with such individual quality.
The Argentine also addressed scrutiny of his early-season scoring return. He is satisfied with his start, he said, because goals and statistics are not the only measure of a player’s contribution. At Como, the larger task remains the same: keep growing, keep competing and make an extraordinary night at the lake feel like part of the club’s new normal.
