In a stunning conclusion to the Serie A season, Como, under the stewardship of former midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas, clinched a maiden Champions League berth with a commanding 4-1 victory over 10-man Cremonese. The result, coupled with AC Milan’s unexpected 2-1 defeat at Cagliari, propelled the newly promoted side into fourth place and left traditional powerhouses Juventus outside Europe’s elite competition.
The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia erupted as Como took an early stranglehold on the match. Jesus Rodriguez opened the scoring, and Tasos Douvikas doubled the lead before the interval. Though Jamie Vardy won a penalty for Cremonese—converted by Federico Bonazzoli to offer a glimmer of hope—Fabregas’s men remained composed. A contentious second penalty for Como midway through the second half became the flashpoint; midfielder Alberto Grassi was shown a straight red card for vehement dissent, and substitutes Milan Djuric and David Okereke were also dismissed from the bench as tensions boiled over. Lucas Da Cunha’s late strike added gloss and sealed a historic night for the Lariani.
Como’s journey is the stuff of footballing fairy-tales. Just six years ago, in 2019, the club was languishing in the third tier of Italian football. Their rapid ascent under the ownership of the Hartono brothers and the tactical acumen of Fabregas has been breathtaking. Promotion to Serie A last season was followed by a campaign of steady growth, culminating in this extraordinary leap into the Champions League. The Spanish manager, a World Cup and European Championship winner as a player, has instilled a blend of tactical discipline and attacking flair that belies the club’s modest stature.
The final-day permutations were dizzying. Como needed a win and for either AC Milan or Roma to falter. Roma, however, held their nerve with a hard-fought victory over 10-man Hellas Verona to secure third place. That left the spotlight on Stefano Pioli’s Milan, who crumbled at the Sardegna Arena. Cagliari’s shock result not only condemned Milan to a fifth-place finish but also sparked concerns over the seven-time European champions’ direction. The Rossoneri, who reached the Champions League semi-finals just two years prior, will now face a summer of introspection.
Juventus’s day unravelled before a ball was kicked in their derby against Torino. Kick-off was delayed for an hour due to “public safety” concerns after a Juve supporter was hospitalised following clashes with Torino fans. By the time the match eventually started, Juventus already knew their fate: victories for Roma and Como had consigned them to the Europa League. Luciano Spalletti’s side began the day in sixth and required a win plus two of the three teams above to drop points—a scenario that evaporated before half-time. The Bianconeri’s absence from the Champions League for the first time in over a decade marks a seismic shift in Italian football’s hierarchy.
For Serie A, the outcome signals a refreshing recalibration. The league’s traditional “Seven Sisters” are being challenged by ambitious provincial clubs backed by smart investment. Como’s success mirrors the recent rise of Atalanta and, to some extent, the resurgence of Napoli a decade ago. Their qualification not only reaps a financial windfall estimated at over €50 million but also offers a platform to attract higher-calibre talent. Fabregas will need to strengthen a squad that, while spirited, faces the rigours of Europe’s top table for the first time.
The controversy at the Sinigaglia—three Cremonese red cards stemming from a disputed penalty—will drum up debate about officiating and player conduct. Refereeing decisions on the final day often fuel narratives, but it should not overshadow Como’s achievement. The club’s rise is a testament to long-term planning and the transformative power of visionary coaching.
As the final whistle blew, Como players and fans alike celebrated a moment that rewrites the club’s history books. For Fabregas, it is the crowning moment of a fledgling managerial career that already looks destined for greatness. The Champions League anthem will ring out at a stadium more accustomed to second-division battles, a reminder that in football, the impossible can become reality in just a few seasons.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
