Como manager Cesc Fabregas says the club must embrace the challenge of competing in the Champions League, Serie A and the Coppa Italia this season, insisting the European campaign is “a gift” rather than a source of pressure.
Como, who invested heavily in new players during the summer, begin their new season against Udinese. Fabregas used his first pre-match press conference of the campaign to acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding a young squad preparing for a demanding schedule.
“How will we approach this season? This year we start from scratch. Zero games, zero points. All teams are growing and bringing in new players, so let’s see how the new season begins. We must gradually rediscover ourselves from last season and strive for improvement. This is a very special season; we will participate in three competitions, something we’ve never experienced before. Our squad is very young, and some players and staff have never dealt with such a schedule. We will play a match every three days. There are many unknowns here. This is the first of many seasons, but there’s no pressure. The Champions League is a gift, but Serie A and the Coppa Italia are equally important.” Faregas said.
The Como boss also offered a tactical assessment of the friendly against Liverpool, focusing on the advanced positioning of Ramon and Caicedo. He said that, despite adjustments to individual roles, the team’s approach would remain rooted in the same principles.
“Our philosophy of play is clear. The principles remain constant.”
Fabregas was also asked about the difficulty of preparing for the opening league match while the summer transfer window remains open. He admitted that the situation was frustrating and suggested the window should close much earlier.
“The league has started, but the transfer market is still open? I don’t like it, but nobody does. Maybe a player who is here now will be playing for another team in two or three weeks, but we know that’s how it is. We hope the transfer market closes as soon as possible, preferably within 12 to 15 days, 20 days at most. Now there are many questions; some tell you this, others tell you that. It’s not easy for them either, because they are friends, but they know some of them are about to leave. One day the rules will change, and then we will all be happier.”
Como’s preparations have therefore been shaped by both a major group of new players and the uncertainty created by ongoing transfer activity. Fabregas said that players could still leave in the coming weeks, making it difficult to establish a settled squad while matches are already being played.
The club will nevertheless begin the campaign with the opportunity to compete on three fronts, a situation Como have never previously experienced. Fabregas stressed that the Champions League should be enjoyed, while domestic competitions would receive the same level of importance.
The new season starts with the meeting against Udinese, as Como attempt to build on last season while adapting to a schedule that could require them to play every three days.
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