In the planet Fabregas: new mentality, a lot of intensity, attention to detail. This is how Como flies
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When it came to redoing the gym in the Mozzate sports center, Cesc Fabregas gave one indication above all. Or, to be clearer: an order. The windows were to overlook the main training field so that the injured players, stuck on the equipment to speed up their recovery, had the goal not only in their minds but also before their eyes. Cesc Fabregas is much more, but he is also this: the details, the attention to detail, the obsession with perfection. Perhaps this makes the origin of phrases like "it doesn't matter if we dominate for an hour and then lose. I prefer that defeats come this way, because sooner or later we will win" clearer. It's not arrogance: it's a different vision. And in the space of a few weeks those points left on the road after having controlled or dominated the games (Milan, Atalanta, Juventus) have transformed into great successes (Fiorentina, Napoli).
Behind Como's exponential growth, on the pitch and in the club project, there is the work of the Spanish coach who led the team to Serie A, giving it a precise identity and then is leading it from the safety zone to that sort of buffer that separates those fighting for survival from those aiming for a European placement. It is logical to assume that next season Como will try to make another leap up, but in the meantime we need to understand why it is not a miracle, but the strength of work and ideas (as well as money, which is not lacking in those parts). What you see on the pitch is only the direct consequence of a plan that began in Como a few months ago but that has been in Fabregas's heart since the days of La Masia. Before the game there are ideas. Before the result there is the way to try to obtain it. And instilling the right mentality is the first of Cesc's many tasks. They describe him as a leader, a driving force, a coach who takes care of every aspect of the club's life. He is empathetic, one of those coaches for whom you would go to war against any opponent because he knows how to touch the right chords and because what he says corresponds to what happens on the pitch. The training sessions, usually in the morning, are very intense because on the pitch aggression is fundamental. Fabregas talks a lot with the players, explains, goes into detail, gives instructions whose benefits are clear to all the players. And he appreciates the efforts. The day after the match, the recovery training is scheduled with the rest postponed for another twenty-four hours. This time, after the success against Napoli, he drew the ovation of the group by immediately granting the day of relaxation.
On the pitch, however, ideas are not enough. And in fact Como's performance has changed with the January purchases: good feet and technical qualities are essential at any level. In the winter transfer window, the club bought eight players, spending 57.6 million: fourth place in Europe behind Manchester City (218), Rennes (74.65) and PSG (70). Of the new purchases, five were starters against Napoli: Butez, Smolcic, Valle, Caqueret and Diao, while Vojvoda and Douvikas came on at the end. And even in the previous matchdays, when the players were lined up by the coach as they arrived, there was the feeling that after a few training sessions everyone knew what to do: a sign of great organization. There are eight Spaniards and this probably helps Fabregas to convey the guidelines of his thinking, but in the general judgment one must absolutely not be influenced by some statements or partial analyses. It is not true that Como focuses only and exclusively on the offensive maneuver, neglecting the defensive phase. Many of the goals conceded (41: fifth worst defense in Serie A) came due to individual errors (and especially the goalkeepers: the main problem together with the center forward until the arrival of Diao) or on dead balls rather than due to tactical disorder that is not there. Como brings a very high pressure and always plays at a high pace. It is dangerous in transitions and is not afraid to go out on a limb (see the last substitution against Napoli: Cutrone in and Caqueret out in the 27th minute of the second half with the score at 1-1) precisely because the departments are trained to always maintain a certain balance. The growth process has inevitably passed through errors of execution, naivety, wasted opportunities and lost points. But in 2025 Como drew in Rome with Lazio, overwhelmed Udinese, won in Florence and beat Napoli. Against Milan, Atalanta and Juve it has always lost at home by 2-1, but on all occasions it would have deserved more. There is no reckless pursuit of victory, but a progressive occupation of the field that pushes the team to stubbornly seek success: when you feel in control of the situation, on the other hand, it is natural to move forward and look for the goal. The players believe in Fabregas and believed in him even when the results were not coming. It is difficult for a coach to have greater satisfaction than this.
La Gazzetta dello Sport