Morata’s Disciplinary Issues Cost Como in Crucial Match

omidbasir- Alvaro Morata was brought onto the pitch for Como during their Serie A match against Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, entering the game in the 57th minute while his team trailed 2-0. Como, aiming for a European spot, managed to reduce the deficit in the 77th minute with an own goal from Fabiano Parisi. However, Morata’s controversial actions ultimately influenced the match’s outcome.

The 33-year-old incurred his first yellow card in the 88th minute and escalated the situation just a minute later by headbutting Fiorentina’s Luca Ranieri off the ball, resulting in a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal with only minutes remaining in the game.

After the final whistle, Como’s coach, Cesc Fabregas, expressed his frustration with Morata’s reckless behavior, questioning the senior player’s judgment in such a critical moment for the team.

“Provocation is part of football. Those who don’t tolerate provocation need to reconsider their careers. He’s an experienced player, and I expect more from him; the margin between winning and losing is very narrow,” Fabregas remarked.

He continued, reflecting on the team’s defeat: “I regret not being able to help the players recognize the importance of this match. I attempted to share my experience throughout the week, but it wasn’t sufficient. We are a young team, and today’s performance was not reflective of that.

“The second half was not a proper football match. We need to win games with the right motivation and energy. I feel disappointed as a coach for not conveying this to my players effectively. Perhaps we were mentally unprepared, and we must show more determination moving forward.

Morata’s career has been marked by transitions between some of Europe’s top clubs, but he has struggled to find stability. The former Chelsea forward was signed for a then-record fee of £70 million ($95.5 million) from Real Madrid in 2017, yet he managed only 24 goals and six assists in 72 appearances, ultimately transferring to Atletico Madrid two years later.

Currently on his second loan stint away from AC Milan, Morata has mainly played a supporting role to Tasos Douvikas at Como, recording just one goal and two assists in 18 matches across all competitions. His recent disciplinary issues and the resulting repercussions are unlikely to improve his standing with Fabregas, who expects better leadership from a player of Morata’s experience.

In October, Morata was dropped from Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for the first time since 2018, and he now faces a challenging path to regain form ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer. After captaining his national team to victory in 2024, his exclusion from this year’s squad would be significant news. However, he must first rectify his issues with Fabregas and Como to regain his form at the club level. This period has been particularly challenging for Morata, as he has also recently separated from his wife, Alice Campello.