Fabregas 'honoured' to be Como's first Champions League coach
Quick summary
Cesc Fabregas expressed pride after Como secured qualification for the Champions League, becoming the first coach to lead the club into Europe's top club competition.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceCesc Fabregas admits he is ‘honoured to be the first coach in the history of Como to participate in the Champions League,’ but some RB Leipzig decisions surprised him.
It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Fenerbahce vs. Roma on the Liveblog.
COMO, ITALY – MAY 17: Cesc Fabregas Head coach of Como 1907 celebrates the win at end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images) This is truly an historic occasion, as it is the first ever European fixture for this club , not to mention in the most prestigious tournament in club football.
The Stadio Sinigaglia needed renovation work over the summer to be brought up to code and is ready to host this event, with directors choosing to give up their seats for long-term fans.
Fabregas makes history with Como GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 04: Cesc Fabregas, Manager of Como, looks on before the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Como 1907 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 04, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) “Today is historic for our city and our club, but we must also do well to focus and be responsible, because we’re playing against a great team,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia.
“We are honoured to play in this competition, but now we have to set all that aside and go out there to fight.”
RB Leipzig’s only previous two Champions League meetings with Italian teams didn’t go well, losing to Juventus and Inter in the 2024/25 group phase, but then the Germans lost seven of their eight games in that competition.
“They made a few changes tonight that I wasn’t expecting, so we’ll see whether Andrija Maksimovic plays wide or in the centre. They are very strong with their wingers and put a lot of bodies into the box,” added Fabregas.
“Leipzig are hungry and energetic, they play the kind of positional football that their coach likes, signing physically strong players who they can sell in the future. It is a big test for us.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como 1907, reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) There is a full squad to choose from this evening, except for long-term absentee Jayden Addai, plus Maxence Caqueret and Edoardo Goldaniga who are not in the UEFA list.
“I always dream big, but life takes you into different situations. I like to have faith in what I do and transmit positivity. When we started here, the plan was to do this in four or five years, but we did it in just two and a half.
“Every step is increasingly important, we are here, and now we must challenge in an important match.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Cesc Fabregas, Manager of Como Calcio, reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio at Anfield on August 16, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) Como become the 16 th Italian club in the Champions League, including its previous iteration as the European Cup, yet Fabregas took charge when they were in Serie B.
“I am very honoured to be the first coach in the history of Como to participate in the Champions League. We are a very young club, we started pushing hard only two and a half years ago, and we’ve got to stick together for the good of Como and Italian football.
“In our little way, we want to fly the flag for Italian football.”
“Como is firmly on the footballing map.” @AnitaNnekaJones and @delpieroale on how Como’s rise to the Champions League has put the club firmly in the spotlight pic.twitter.com/gOgmOHtXZ0
— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 10, 2026
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What happened
Cesc Fabregas has spoken of his pride at becoming the first head coach to lead Como into the UEFA Champions League. Como's return to the European elite marks a historic milestone for the club, which has risen rapidly under Fabregas's management. The achievement underscores Como's remarkable rise through Italian football and signals their intent to compete among Europe's top sides. Fabregas described the moment as an honour and emphasised the collective effort behind the club's qualification campaign.
Chance analysis
Como's qualification for the Champions League under Cesc Fabregas is one of Italian football's most striking recent stories. The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder has overseen a rapid ascent since taking charge, and the club's debut on Europe's biggest stage is a reward for sustained on-field growth. For Como, the focus will now shift to squad building and preparation for a level of competition they have never previously faced. Fabregas's profile as a young, progressive coach also raises the intrigue around how the club will approach the tournament.
Como gain a significant morale and prestige boost from their first-ever Champions League qualification under Fabregas.