Como coach Cesc Fàbregas is excited about the “dream come true” opportunity to host Manchester United in Wednesday’s Champions League group game.
Speaking after guiding his team to a 3-1 win at Fiorentina on Sunday, a result that kept Como fifth in Serie A, the former Arsenal star said of Manchester United: “They are a great team. Just three years ago, when we were in Serie B, it would have been unthinkable that Manchester United might come to the Sinigaglia [stadium] — yet on Wednesday, that is exactly what will happen. For us, it’s a dream come true; we’ll take our chances.”
Como have never been a part of European competition in the 119-year history of the club.
The Lombardy-based outfit — who have twice gone bankrupt in the last two decades — were playing in Serie D in 2019. They returned to Italy’s top flight in May 2024 after achieving a third promotion in six seasons.
“Getting ready for such wonderful games is fantastic but we must never forget that Serie A is the most important thing for us,” Fabregas said. “For us, every day is an important step in our growth. We are a new club-not in terms of our history, but because we started from scratch three years ago. Consequently, we have to be careful in how we manage a great many situations.”
The Italian minnows won their Champions League opener against Leipzig at home, 4-1, but fell 3-2 at Feyenoord last week.
Fabregas concedes his club’s first season in the Champions League is going to be a learning experience for everyone.
“We’ve arrived here [Champions League] five years ahead of schedule,” the Spaniard recently said.
“The Champions League is an extraordinary gift that came after last year’s magnificent season. The Champions League is the toughest competition there is-at a higher level even than the World Cup or the European Championship.”
