SouthernWorldwide.com – Cesc Fabregas has expressed his profound admiration for his Como players, calling them the finest squad he has ever had the privilege to manage, following the club’s historic qualification for the Champions League.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder successfully guided the team to a top-four finish in Serie A. This achievement marks an extraordinary progression from the second tier of Italian football to Europe’s premier club competition in a mere two years.
The club, nestled by the lake, accomplished what many deemed impossible on the final day of the Serie A season. They overtook AC Milan to secure fourth place, thus clinching their maiden appearance in the Champions League.
A decisive 4-1 away victory against Cremonese, coupled with AC Milan’s home defeat to Cagliari, ignited scenes of jubilation among the traveling fans and the club’s staff.
In a season that also saw them reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals, Fabregas has been instrumental in reshaping the club’s identity and aspirations.
By capitalizing on the dramatic final-day results, Como secured the coveted fourth and final Champions League spot. This marks only the second time in their history that the club has qualified for any European tournament.
True to his post-match tradition, the Spanish coach gathered his players on the pitch at the Stadio Giovanni Zini to deliver an emotional reflection on the concluded campaign.
Fabregas was visibly moved as he addressed the squad, who had consistently defied expectations throughout the season to challenge Italy’s established footballing powerhouses.
“The last circle of the season,” Fabregas told his squad. “I told you the day before Parma, we win the two games, we are in the Champions League. I don’t know why I told you, I had a feeling, I always get my responses by feeling.”
“But guys, this is all up to you. It’s all thanks to every one of you. We try to help you, we try to give you certain solutions, but you are the reason that this is so beautiful. I thank you for all my life. All my life, because this would be probably the best group I will ever coach in my future.”
Not long ago, Como were competing in Serie B. However, under Fabregas’s relentless attacking philosophy, they finished the campaign as the league’s second-highest scoring team, trailing only champions Inter.
Their impressive final tally of 20 wins and 65 goals solidified their position as a formidable presence in Italian football.
Fabregas underscored the enduring legacy his players have forged with their accomplishments this term.
He continued: “I have no doubt you will be remembered forever. Now we can say that and more. And I’ll see you guys, enjoy a good holidays, enjoy a big party, you deserve everything, whoever goes to the World Cup, all the best. What are we doing next year? Champions League!.”
For Como, the immediate focus shifts to preparations for their unprecedented European adventure during the summer.
Having finished ahead of esteemed clubs like Juventus and Milan, the “lakeside minnows” have unequivocally proven their worthiness to compete at the highest level, with Fabregas poised to guide them through the next significant chapter of their remarkable journey.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Hosted across three countries, the tournament will conclude with the final match on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live across FOX (70 matches) and FS1 (34 matches), with every game available for live streaming and on-demand viewing through both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, constituting more than one-third of the tournament’s schedule, will be aired in prime time across FOX (21 matches) and FS1 (19 matches).
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The opening match on June 11, featuring Mexico against South Africa, is set to kick off at 3 p.m. ET and will be streamed for free on Tubi. Similarly, the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12, scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, will also be available for free streaming on Tubi.
