Fabregas: 'Serie A is the priority for Como, respect De Rossi's Genoa'
Quick summary
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas stated that securing Serie A survival is the club's top priority this season, while expressing respect for Daniele De Rossi's Genoa ahead of their upcoming fixture.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceCesc Fabregas insists ‘Serie A is the priority’ for Como rather than the Champions League, and really ‘respects’ the way Daniele De Rossi sets Genoa out as a coach.
It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, also commonly known as Marassi, at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como 1907, reacts during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) The Lariani can no longer be considered a surprise in Italian football after securing Champions League qualification and reaching the Coppa Italia semi-final.
Last week, they earned an impressive 2-1 Serie A victory away to Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Fabregas focus on Como present UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Cesc Fabregas, Como manager, looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on August 22, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images) With the Champions League opener coming up against RB Leipzig on Thursday, did that affect the choice of starting XI this evening?
“We want to always try to win every game, but know that Serie A is the priority,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.
“We’ve never had Champions League football, neither have most of these players, so we’ll see how they do playing every three or four days.
“It’s not for six the next one, so we haven’t had to make our decisions today influenced by that. Luis Milla played quite a few games also in pre-season, so we’re giving him some time physically to recuperate.”
GENOA, ITALY – APRIL 26: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa (left), chats with Cesc Fabregas, head coach of Como, prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Como 1907 at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) Genoa coach De Rossi was like Fabregas a midfielder and has now taken his mentality to the job as a coach, so are there similarities?
“Daniele was so tough, at times impossible to get past, as he was so intelligent as well as physically strong,” explained Fabregas.
“This mentality is why he had the career that he did, and I respect all these former players who fought for everything, as I liked the way his Roma played, and he has this great energy at Genoa of being aggressive, a high press, fighting it out with everyone.
“He is so right when he says they can beat anyone, and I agree with that.”
Como were very active in the summer all the way down to deadline day, securing Moise Kean from Fiorentina and Robert Sanchez on loan from Chelsea, but they are both on the bench this evening.
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What happened
Cesc Fabregas, the head coach of Como, addressed the media ahead of his side's Serie A match against Genoa. The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, now in his first full season as a top-flight head coach, made clear that the club's primary objective is consolidation in Serie A. He also praised his opposite number, Daniele De Rossi, highlighting the difficulty of facing a Genoa side managed by the former Roma and Italy legend. Fabregas's comments underline Como's pragmatic approach as they navigate their return to the Italian top flight.
Chance analysis
Fabregas's framing of survival as the priority tells you everything about where Como see themselves: a newly promoted side trying to stay afloat, not a fairy-tale pushing for Europe. His respectful nod to De Rossi also doubles as a warning — Genoa have shown they can grind out results under a manager who has revitalised them. For Como, every point matters in what looks like a tight relegation scrap.
Como remain focused on Serie A survival; Fabregas's comments signal a pragmatic approach to the Genoa fixture.