Como fan anthem inspires club as Champions League dream builds
The remarkable season of Como 1907 is being celebrated not just in the league table, but in song. The club has released a commemorative shirt featuring the lyrics of "Pulènta e Galèna Frègia," a decades-old song by lifelong fan and renowned Italian singer-songwriter Davide Van de Sfroos that has become the terrace anthem at the Sinigaglia. The 60-year-old artist, born in Monza but raised in Como, described the tribute as an emotional culmination of a journey he never imagined, from watching the club in Serie C as a boy to now seeing them on the cusp of Champions League qualification.
Van de Sfroos, a self-described "disturbed" fan who watches matches from home due to superstitious rituals, told reporters that the song's adoption by the fans began organically in 1999. Last year, the club's ownership, led by Indonesian investor Djarot Suwarso, approached him to record a more energetic version for matchday. The release of the shirt marks the latest step in formalizing the song's role. "It's no longer just music," Van de Sfroos said. "It's the feeling you get when the team takes the field with all the 'larianità' possible, with all the families singing together a piece that isn't even mine anymore."
The celebration comes as Como, under the guidance of manager Cesc Fabregas, continues its fairytale campaign in Serie A. The club's rise from Serie C to challenging for a top-five finish has captivated Italian football. Van de Sfroos was effusive in his praise for the project, singling out Fabregas's principled approach and the club's atmosphere, which has brought families back to the stadium. He also highlighted key players driving the charge, mentioning the growing importance of Nico Paz, the continuous improvement of Martin Baturina, and the clutch contributions of Matthias Phaeton and Anastasios Douvikas.
Despite the excitement, the lifelong supporter struck a note of cautious realism when discussing the prospect of Champions League football. While acknowledging the allure, he suggested the team might benefit from a more gradual progression. "I think things should happen naturally, when the time is right," Van de Sfroos said. "It's obviously exciting to think about Como in the Champions League, but perhaps a lesser cup wouldn't be bad. I don't know if the moment has already arrived, perhaps it's a bit early." He pointed to the current stadium's limitations as a factor, warning that the team risks being "massacred" if not fully ready for such a significant leap in competition.
The immediate focus remains on securing the points needed to make the European dream a reality. Van de Sfroos expressed particular wariness of upcoming opponent Genoa, citing their history and tenacity. As the season reaches its climax, the bond between club and community, exemplified by the anthem now immortalized on fabric, provides a unique backdrop to one of Serie A's most unexpected success stories. The sentiment captured in the song reflects a shared identity and belonging that has grown alongside the team's fortunes on the pitch.
