Cesc Fabregas: Transforming Como into a Football Powerhouse

omidbasir- It is crucial to recognize from the outset that Como’s ascent from the fourth tier of Italian football in 2019 to seventh in Serie A today has been significantly bolstered by the substantial financial support of the Djarum Group, led by the Hartono brothers, Robert Budi and Michael Bambang, among the wealthiest individuals globally.

Additionally, the club’s picturesque stadium situated along the shores of Lago di Como, one of Italy’s most stunning lakes, draws in tourists and celebrities from all corners of the world.

The defining factor that enticed Cesc Fabregas to join Como in 2022 was the promise of contributing to an ambitious project—not only as a player but also as a shareholder.

“I didn’t care about the money,” Fabregas remarked. “I simply wanted to be part of a project that truly excited me. I envision a long-term future for this club.”

Key to Fabregas’s motivation was the prospect of a clear pathway into management, integral to Como’s original offer to the seasoned playmaker. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had always believed that such an intelligent and adaptable player would transition into management; however, Fabregas’s promotion to Como’s senior squad came sooner than anticipated.

After announcing his retirement in the summer of 2023, he promptly began working with Como’s Under-19 and B teams. However, he had not yet secured all of his UEFA qualifications when the club dismissed Moreno Longo less than three months into the new season. As a result, Como appointed Osian Roberts as the caretaker coach for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign and designated Fabregas as his assistant, despite the latter clearly taking the lead in decision-making.

“At Como, we essentially started from scratch,” Fabregas explained. “We didn’t even have a training ground, and the overall structure of the club was quite lacking. Therefore, I devoted time to considering our strategy—not just for the first team but also for the academies.”

Fabregas dedicated considerable effort to developing his footballing philosophy.

“We analyzed every tactical framework in football and asked ourselves how best to exploit each structure. We essentially compiled a database of information based on what I have always believed to be the most effective way to attack the formations we face,” Fabregas elaborated. “While I uphold certain principles and structures, I want to be as dominant as possible. In today’s game, that requires a multitude of solutions.”

He emphasized the distinction between attacking teams that defend deeply in a 4-5-1 formation versus those that adopt a man-to-man approach, like Atalanta.

This meticulous approach has evidently borne fruit. At the conclusion of Fabregas’s first season at the helm, Como achieved promotion to Serie A, finishing second in Serie B, with an innovative incentive of an all-expenses-paid trip to Ibiza proving effective in motivating the squad.

Following a challenging start to their first top-flight campaign in 21 years, Como finished the season in 10th place, prompting an approach from Inter for Fabregas that was promptly rejected by the club. “Our journey is long, spanning several seasons and centered around Cesc Fabregas, who will not leave the club,” declared President Mirwan Muwarso.

Despite rumors suggesting Fabregas was open to replacing Simone Inzaghi at San Siro, he had no intention of forcing a move from a club he is deeply and financially invested in. Furthermore, remaining at Sinigaglia has not hindered his development or career prospects, as Como is now on the verge of qualifying for continental competition for the first time in the club’s history.

Heading into a recent match against AC Milan, Como sat seventh in Serie A, just one point shy of Atalanta, who occupy the Conference League spot, while also advancing to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia to face Inter in a two-legged tie.

The clash with Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan presented not only a test of Fabregas’s tactical acumen but also his managerial maturity. In their previous encounter at Sinigaglia a month earlier, Como dominated possession and territory, showcasing superior statistics across nearly every facet of the game, except for the scoreboard.

After a frustrating 3-1 defeat, Fabregas expressed his disappointment, stating, “Those who focus solely on results will enjoy this game,” seemingly targeting the prevalent mentality in Italy that prioritizes winning above all.

“But those who appreciate football would argue that Como would win eight times out of ten. We completed 700 passes, while they managed 200 – it was remarkable.”

Allegri, known for his pragmatic approach, was not impressed by Fabregas’s implication that luck played a significant role in Milan’s victory. “Luck is part of life, but it is disrespectful to attribute our results solely to chance,” the Rossoneri coach responded.

While Fabregas has not exhibited arrogance, acknowledging his position relative to a Champions League-level manager like Allegri, he has recognized the need to manage his emotions better in the aftermath of games.

He is not among the more volatile coaches in Italy—Allegri is more renowned for his outbursts than Fabregas. His measured response to a recent surprising defeat against Fiorentina indicates that he is learning to cope with disappointment.

Moreover, while Fabregas criticized veteran striker Alvaro Morata for a reckless red card against Fiorentina, he took full responsibility for Como’s failure to secure three points that could have propelled them into contention for a top-four finish. “I am frustrated that I couldn’t help the players grasp the significance of the match,” he confided.

“I shared my experiences as a player throughout the week, perhaps too extensively, but it wasn’t sufficient. We erred in our attitude, and we must show greater desire and improve our attacking play if we aspire to execute our game plan.”

Como’s strategy emphasizes building from the back and maintaining possession in a 4-2-3-1 formation—a dynamic style favored by technically skilled players. This has allowed talents like Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramon to thrive under Fabregas, with the potential for their return to Real Madrid in the near future.

“Having a legendary figure as a coach is remarkable,” Paz noted, adding, “He is a person who puts you at ease and imparts invaluable lessons about both life and football.”

However, Fabregas has faced criticism in the Italian media for being overly loyal to a tactical style reminiscent of the possession-driven Spanish national team with which he enjoyed tremendous success. Following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Inter in December, he was questioned about adopting a more defensive strategy and responded, “I did contemplate it, but my intuition said no. I take pride in that, to be honest.”

“However, I believe we experienced growth as a team today—a lesson that typically goes unappreciated in victories where people label you a genius. Following a heavy defeat, the learning process deepens, and you develop a greater appreciation for the game. Como is pursuing the right path. You could approach a match with a 6-3-1 or a 5-4-1 formation, but I would prefer to suffer a 4-0 defeat rather than take that route.”

Nevertheless, Fabregas is not as obstinate as he might have appeared during that interview. He shared that he would return to San Siro independently to observe Inter face Liverpool later that month, seeking to understand how he could improve against the Nerazzurri. He also emphasized that throughout his playing career, he was exposed to diverse tactical methods.

“I won with Antonio Conte, I won with [Jose] Mourinho, I won with Wenger, I won with Guardiola,” he stated. “I achieved success with every style of play, so you will never hear me argue that one is superior to another.”

“Moreover, upon my arrival, the club’s ownership spoke to me about Lake Como, the lifestyle, and the need for a front-footed style of play. That was the expectation set for me. They didn’t say: ‘Win, win, win.’ They emphasized, ‘Win, but create an identity and develop a specific type of player who would want to play for Como.'”

Fabregas has undoubtedly met that objective. Como is no longer just an appealing destination for celebrities; it has evolved into a respected project in world football, with a captivating figure at its helm who may prove to be just as accomplished a coach as he was a player.