Cesc Fabregas praised Como’s patience, maturity and resilience after they recovered from a goal down to beat Torino 3-1 in Turin.
Como dominated possession but spent almost an hour behind after Che Adams finished a move created when Kian Fitz-Jim dispossessed Jacobo Ramon. Robert Sanchez made several saves to keep the deficit to one, while Como struggled to create a decisive threat until the final stages.
Ramon made amends in the 81st minute, heading Como level before Nico Paz and Martin Baturina completed a late turnaround.
“We still have to prove that we are a great team, but this was already a test of our maturity, because we wouldn’t have played the same way last season,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia.
“It was our fourth game in 10 days, not easy to deal with or understand, but we showed great patience, maturity, resilience and refused to give up to the end.
“You cannot win every game 2-0, we made a mistake for the opening goal, that happens, then the onus was on us to react and deal with the situation. It is very difficult to win games in Italy, I’ve said that for two or three years, and I give great credit to the team for what they did tonight.”
Fabregas gathered his players into a huddle on the pitch after the final whistle. He said he reminded them of the unity required as the club continues to adjust to a new level of expectation.
“I just told them we are a family, we’ve got to find every solution for what we are doing in this new life for Como. We mustn’t forget it is the first time in the club’s history we’ve had this sort of situation.
“I gave them an extra day off, but we’ve got to be ready for Venezia on Sunday, as they are doing better with Davide Nicola. We’ve got to keep it going.”
Torino had won their previous three matches and were among the form teams in Serie A, prompting Fabregas to assess whether Como had learned from their defeat by Frosinone.
“Every defeat teaches you a lesson and we didn’t know how to play that game. However, Frosinone are a side who keep their ideas to the end, whereas Torino waited for us with a low block and then went on the counter.”
Fabregas felt the scoreline had been harsh on his side before their late recovery.
“I think we were unlucky to be behind for so long tonight, because we hit the woodwork twice, we had a goal disallowed for a centimetre and Da Cunha should’ve received a penalty,” he said.
“I admired the resilience, for example Jacobo Ramon made a serious error, but he kept his head and then scored the equaliser. This is football for me, people with character who make mistakes, but then keep going and don’t let the fear grip them.”
Como are four points better off than at the same stage last year, despite their Champions League commitments. Fabregas dismissed the suggestion that they should now be targeting the Scudetto.
“This is our first ever European competition and it’s the Champions League, not the Conference League where you can rotate more. If you get it wrong in the Champions League, you can lose 5-0,” he said.
Como played against Sassuolo 66 hours after facing Manchester United, and Fabregas said injuries were increasing while the squad currently had no wingers.
“I haven’t even looked at the table,” he added. “We’ve got to take it one game at a time, play the kind of football I want, and keep raising the bar. It is a growth process, and we’ve got to stay focused.”
