Serie A: Cesc Fabregas’ Como is starting to look very scary

Promoted to Serie A a year ago, Como are now stepping up a gear. The ambitious Lombardy club aims to compete with Italy’s biggest teams and has spared no expense in doing so. Having already spent €101.5 million this summer, the Italian team is the thirteenth biggest spender in the world and the second in Italy, behind only Juventus (€118.5 million). Among the new recruits are defenders Alex Valle (21, FC Barcelona), Ignace van der Brempt (23, RB Salzburg) and Felipe Jack (19, Palmeiras); midfielders Maximo Perrone (22, Manchester City), Martin Baturina (22, Dinamo Zagreb) and Luca Mazzitelli (29, Frosinone); and forwards Jesus Rodriguez (19, Real Betis Balompié).

And the summer isn’t over yet, as Como president Mirwan Suwarso confirmed to Sky Italia that an agreement has been reached for Álvaro Morata: ‘It’s now up to Galatasaray and Milan to play. We hope he’ll be here as soon as possible.” Ready to spend whatever it takes, Como want to do everything they can for their coach, Cesc Fàbregas, who stayed this summer despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan. ‘We’ll have to ask Fabregas what the team needs. The investments were made to generate profits, whether for the brand or for the value of the players,” the president of the Italian club continued. And Como’s additions fit in very well.

Como is ready!

Just as they did last winter, when players such as Maxence Caqueret and Assane Diao quickly made their mark on the squad, Como is in a positive dynamic and wants to build on its brilliant second half of the season, when the club comfortably avoided relegation by finishing tenth in Serie A.
While preparation is never a guarantee of success, the team got off to a flying start with controlled performances against Lille (3–2), Al-Ahli (3–1) and, most notably, a resounding victory against Ajax Amsterdam (3–0). These were matches in which the new recruits particularly shone.

Martin Baturina, who scored against Ajax Amsterdam yesterday, stood out, as did Dutch winger Jayden Addai. The Gazzetta dello Sport praised the latter, writing: “The Dutchman was unstoppable on the right side. His left-wing counterpart, Jesús Rodríguez, was also praised by Gazzetta dello Sport: “The former Betis player set up Baturina with his first touch, giving Como a two-goal lead.” The Lombards will continue their campaign on Wednesday 6 August against Real Betis Balompié, followed by a match against FC Barcelona on Sunday 10 August for the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Ambitious Cesc Fàbregas, for his part, appreciated what he has seen so far: ‘It’s a young team; a lot of new players have arrived. I liked their pressing and their quality. Everyone needs to improve, but these guys are eager to learn, and it’s up to me to help them. The young Spanish coach is not lacking in ambition for the future: ‘We have to consolidate Como and aim for the big leap next season. Maybe even sooner. I want to leave a significant legacy. I want whoever succeeds me to find something positive. Cesc Fàbregas and Como are not lacking in ambition ahead of the Serie A season.”