Como have penned the most remarkable chapter in their history, securing a place in the UEFA Champions League for the first time with a resounding 4-1 victory away at Cremonese. The win on the final day of the Serie A season propelled Cesc Fabregas's side to a fourth-place finish, amassing 71 points and fending off late challenges to book their spot among Europe's elite. The result simultaneously condemned Cremonese to relegation, adding a dramatic edge to an already historic night.
The match at the Stadio Giovanni Zini saw the visitors dominate from the start, with Fabregas's young squad displaying a maturity beyond their years. Two first-half goals set the tone, and despite Cremonese pulling one back, Como added two more in the second period to seal the deal. The focus, as Fabregas later revealed, was singular: "We never asked about the score in other matches – we only thought about scoring against Cremonese." That narrow obsession paid off handsomely.
Speaking to DAZN after the final whistle, a visibly emotional Fabregas struggled to find the words to encapsulate the achievement. "I don't know how to describe it," he admitted. "Sometimes I think one thing, feel another, and do something else. But what we have done is incredible." The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder compared the run-in to a cyclist who, trailing in sixth, found an extra burst of speed to pip his rivals on the line. "I showed the team a video of a cyclist who was sixth and then just started going faster. In the end, he put his foot forward and arrived. That's exactly what we did."
Central to Fabregas's pride was the age profile of his squad. "We've done this with kids," he said, noting that 15 of the most-used players are under 23. "It's a masterpiece by the whole group – how they believed, how they respected the work, how they always wanted more. Even after two consecutive defeats, they raised the level again." This youth movement has been a hallmark of Fabregas's tenure, blending raw talent with tactical discipline to stunning effect.
The rise of Como under Fabregas has been nothing short of meteoric. Just four years ago, when he arrived as a player, the club was training without a dedicated facility, and post-match massages took place in a bar. "There was practically nothing," he recalled. "We trained in a field I can't even remember, and everyone left at noon." Now, with the backing of ambitious ownership, Como boast a modern infrastructure and a project that has captured attention across the continent. Fabregas, who transitioned from player to head coach, has been granted sweeping authority over sporting operations – a rarity for such a young manager.
The Champions League qualification is the culmination of a campaign that also included a Coppa Italia semi-final run. After stumbling with a defeat to Sassuolo (against Inter) and a draw with Udinese, Como found themselves needing a near-perfect finish. Fabregas challenged his players to win five or six in a row, and they responded with a relentless streak, dropping points only in a draw with Napoli. The mental fortitude forged in those moments was on full display in Cremona.
For Serie A, Como's ascent signals a shift in the traditional hierarchy. A provincial club with a modest history has gatecrashed the top four, joined by Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini, who also clinched a Champions League berth. The league, long dominated by the usual suspects, now sees fresh faces at the top table, promising increased competition and financial redistribution. Como's success story, built on smart recruitment and coaching, could serve as a blueprint for other ambitious outfits.
Fabregas's own future inevitably becomes a topic of discussion. The 39-year-old, who counts Jose Mourinho among his mentors, remains grounded. "Mourinho told me two weeks ago: you have until you're 80, that's 40 more years of work. There's no rush," Fabregas said. "I'm very happy here. The timing is important, but I'm content with what we're building. One day, when I feel ready, maybe I'll make the leap. But if Como keeps growing, then the leap has already been made." His words suggest a commitment to the project, though Europe's giants will undoubtedly take notice.
The achievement is not merely a personal triumph for Fabregas but a validation of a philosophy. From the chaotic days in a makeshift training camp to the structured, possession-based football that dismantled Cremonese, the transformation has been total. The squad's average age and the fluency of their play have drawn comparisons with some of the continent's most exciting young teams, and the Champions League stage will now test that potential.
As the final whistle blew and the celebrations began, the scale of the accomplishment started to sink in. For a city like Como, more accustomed to lake views than European nights, the arrival of Real Madrid or Manchester City at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia will feel like a dream. Fabregas, an architect of this fairy tale, allowed himself a moment of reflection: "For the people of Como, they deserve this. Four years ago, we were nothing. Now we are in the Champions League. It's a story of growth, of believing, and of doing it together."
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
