Cesc Fabregas has outlined his management philosophy and the project at Como, while also addressing the club's ongoing pursuit of European qualification. The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, now head coach of the Serie A side, spoke at length in a press conference ahead of his team's match against Napoli this weekend. Fabregas detailed the lessons he has taken from former managers, his vision for Como, and the challenges of a top-flight season.
Fabregas reflected on the profound influence of Napoli's manager, Antonio Conte, under whom he played at Chelsea. He acknowledged the intense physical and mental demands Conte places on his players. "He made me suffer a lot physically, in terms of demand, running, intensity, always going flat out," Fabregas said. He added that after an initial adaptation period, he felt physically transformed by Conte's methods, a standard he now seeks to instill in his own squad, albeit with a different tactical approach.
The coach also provided a squad update ahead of the Napoli fixture, confirming that, apart from the injured Kingsley Addai, the team is largely available. He noted that right-back Sergi Roberto cannot play a full match and that Strahinja Vojvoda has returned to training. Fabregas praised Napoli's season despite their injury problems, crediting Conte for maintaining their level, and predicted a proactive match between two sides with strong mentalities.
Addressing broader topics, Fabregas was asked about the recent controversies surrounding refereeing in football. He advocated for understanding, stating he never assumes officials act in bad faith. "As there are coaches or players of different levels, it's the same for referees," he said, according to reports from the press conference. He emphasized that the referee should be the least important person on the pitch, with the spectacle being the primary focus for fans.
When discussing his team's identity, Fabregas expressed pride in seeing "his Como at 100%" during their recent win against Genoa. He highlighted the courage and mentality of his relatively young squad, drawing parallels to his early days as captain of a youthful Arsenal team under Arsène Wenger. He stressed the importance of collective solidarity and an unwavering work ethic, regardless of the opponent or venue.
On the subject of young players in his squad, Fabregas specifically mentioned the promising winger Gabriel Lahdo, who has been dealing with minor injury issues. He indicated that the club's scouting department believes strongly in the teenager's potential, but noted the high level of competition in the squad with players like Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha, meaning Lahdo must continue to work and develop.
With Como currently fifth in Serie A, the prospect of European football next season is a tangible possibility. Fabregas, however, remained characteristically cautious. "For the Champions League, I don't answer," he said, before explaining his preference to take the season game by game. He pointed out that final league positioning and the outcome of the Coppa Italia could affect European qualification, stating the club will better evaluate its readiness and market strategy after the season concludes.
In a revealing aside on football's evolution, Fabregas called Paris Saint-Germain's recent Champions League victory over Bayern Munich "the best match of my life" to watch as a fan. He described it as a glimpse into modern football's direction, focusing on intense pressing and one-on-one duels. Fabregas revealed he uses analysis of such elite matches in training, creating comparative videos for his players to illustrate the standards he aspires to reach at Como.
