Como is writing a fairy tale for Italian football.

After a two-year absence from Serie A, Como caused a major upset by securing a place in the Champions League next season. The rapid rise of this small team from northern Italy is attracting considerable attention from fans.

Como officially secured a place in the Champions League for the first time in the club's history - Photo: AP

A 4-1 victory against Cremonese in the final round of Serie A (2025-2026) secured Como's first-ever Champions League spot. This achievement is even more remarkable considering that Cesc Fabregas's team only gained promotion to Serie A in the 2024-2025 season.

Como's journey to "pass the test"

Few would have thought Como could progress so quickly after returning to Serie A in the 2024-2025 season, following a 21-year absence from the league. Prior to that, Como had endured years of financial crisis and played in the lowest divisions of Italian football.

Como is a club based in the city of Como, located on the famous Lake Como in northern Italy. The team has gone bankrupt several times in the past and at one point had to play in Serie D before being restructured in 2017.

The major turning point came when Indonesia's Djarum Group took over Como in 2019. Stable funding and a long-term development strategy have helped the team gradually transform its image in recent years.

After securing promotion to Serie A, Como did not engage in a massive spending spree like many other newly promoted teams. Instead, they focused on building a young, energetic squad that suited coach Cesc Fabregas's ball-possession philosophy.

This season, Como wasn't highly rated in the race for European qualification. However, their consistent playing style and ability to explode in the final stages of the season have helped them overcome many strong opponents.

Besides their technical skills, Como has also made its mark with a modern and emotionally charged style of football. They don't opt ​​for the negative defensive approach of many smaller teams, but instead always strive to build up play and attack against every opponent.

The combination of stable financial resources, a clear development strategy, and modern football philosophy has helped Como make a strong breakthrough. From a team that had just returned to Serie A, Como has now become a new representative of Italian football in the Champions League.

The person who inspired Como

Coach Cesc Fabregas helped Como write a fairy tale for Italian football - Photo: ITALIA FOOTBALL

If Como is the fairy tale of Italian football, then Cesc Fabregas is the author of that journey. The former Spanish midfielder played a major role in completely transforming the team's image in just a few years.

Fabregas was once one of Europe's top midfielders, playing for Arsenal, Barcelona, ​​Chelsea, and the Spanish national team. He is considered the "second Xavi" due to his ability to control the game, his tactical thinking, and his possession-oriented playing style.

After a period playing for Monaco, Fabregas joined Como in 2022 towards the end of his playing career. Shortly after, the former midfielder, born in 1987, began his coaching career and quickly became the team's head coach.

Fabregas not only led Como on the pitch but also contributed to building the club's foundation. According to Football Italia , the Spanish strategist was involved in developing the training ground and shaping Como's entire football system.

Speaking to DAZN, coach Cesc Fabregas said: "When I arrived here, we had almost nothing. Even the physiotherapists had to massage the players behind a bar because the team didn't have a proper training pitch."

The Spanish coach also revealed that he had told his players that Como could absolutely qualify for the Champions League if he maintained his belief. Coach Fabregas even showed the whole team a video of a cyclist's spectacular final sprint to motivate the players.

Beyond his tactical prowess, Fabregas was also highly regarded for his ability to inspire and develop young players. Under his leadership, Como became a high-energy, cohesive team that consistently maintained a positive spirit.

Despite being linked with several major European clubs, Fabregas insists he is not yet ready to leave Como. The Spanish strategist believes he still needs more time to learn before moving up the ladder in his coaching career.

HERO

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/como-viet-nen-cau-chuyen-co-tich-cua-bong-da-y-20260525095925642.htm