Fabregas urges Como to stay focused after Champions League debut win

Como manager Cesc Fabregas has told his players to quickly move on from their historic 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig and focus on Monday’s Serie A meeting with Parma.

Como marked their first appearance in the Champions League with a convincing win on Thursday, 10 September. Martin Baturina, Tasos Douvikas, Assane Diao and substitute Maxi Perrone scored for the Italian side, with all four players having joined the club last season.

Despite the significance of the result, Fabregas said the celebrations would be brief and insisted Serie A remained Como’s primary objective.

“I am happy, but it will only last five minutes, because then we have to prepare against Parma on Monday, and we need the same energy as tonight,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia.

The former Spain and Barcelona midfielder acknowledged the importance of the occasion for Como and the city, but said the club’s progress in the league was what had created the opportunity to play in Europe’s leading club competition.

“Obviously, I understand it is a historic night for the city and the club, it is a gift that we deserved for the incredible work we did last season, but Serie A remains the most important target,” he said.

“It is after all what allows you to get back into the Champions League.”

Como’s squad has been energised by its involvement in the competition, but Fabregas warned his players that their standards in domestic football could not drop after such an impressive European performance.

“We are a young team, we are boosted by the Champions League energy, but I’d be really angry if we then didn’t give our all in Serie A,” he added.

Fabregas also stressed the demands of a season in which Como must compete every three days, calling for humility and consistency from his side.

“We must be humble and be able to perform every three days, it will be a very tough season, and we must maintain the right mentality,” he said.