Como head coach Cesc Fabregas has confirmed his squad is nearly at full fitness ahead of Saturday's Serie A clash with Napoli, while cautiously addressing the club's growing prospects of European qualification. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, the former Spain international provided updates on his squad's condition and reflected on his team's development this season.
Fabregas confirmed that defender Nebil Vojvoda has returned to training and that midfielder Sergi Roberto is also nearing a full return, though he may not be ready to play a full ninety minutes. Only long-term absentee Kingsley Addai remains unavailable. The availability of key players comes at a crucial time for Como, who sit in a surprising position in the upper half of the Serie A table as the season enters its final stages.
The coach was directly questioned about the possibility of Como, a club recently promoted to the top flight, securing a UEFA Champions League place. Fabregas declined to answer directly, instead emphasizing a game-by-game approach. "When Suwarso told me I would have the team, I didn't know if we were ready," Fabregas said, referring to club owner Djarot Suwarso. "The Champions League step is too wide? We have to think match after match." He noted that final league positions and European slots remain uncertain, particularly depending on the outcome of the Coppa Italia.
Fabregas did, however, express immense pride in his team's growth and mentality. He drew a parallel to his early days as a young captain at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, managing a squad in transition. He praised his current players for their courage and solidarity, especially in a recent draw against Genoa. "I saw a team that said 'they won't score against us'," Fabregas stated. "Everyone was a solid player, always making an extra run. That's what we have to do."
The 39-year-old coach also discussed his managerial philosophy, revealing he often uses video analysis to compare his team's play with that of Europe's elite clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He cited the recent PSG-Bayern Champions League match as an educational spectacle, calling it "the best game I've seen in my life" from a football fan's perspective. Fabregas stressed the importance of exposing his players to the highest standards to foster development, even if the individual quality differs.
Looking ahead, Fabregas acknowledged the challenge posed by Napoli, managed by his former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte. He praised Conte's work in maintaining Napoli's high level despite injury problems this season and admitted he learned a great deal from Conte's intense physical and mental demands during their time together at Stamford Bridge. Saturday's match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona represents another significant test for Fabregas's evolving project at Como, with the broader context of a potential historic European qualification looming over the club's final matches of the campaign.
