Fabregas: Como’s Champions League Dream Must Become Reality

FolioPitch.com – 14 October 2026 | Cesc Fabregas has challenged his Como players to turn their Champions League dream into a concrete reality as they prepare for a daunting away trip to Feyenoord on Wednesday evening. The rookie head coach, who enjoyed a glittering playing career but never lifted Europe’s premier club trophy, insists that Fabregas Como s Champions League dream must become reality if the Italian side are to build on their stunning debut in the competition.

Como announced themselves on the continental stage with a breathtaking 4-1 demolition of RB Leipzig at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in September, a result that sent shockwaves through the group. However, their domestic form has stuttered since that historic night, with a 2-0 defeat to Frosinone followed by a frustrating 0-0 draw against Roma on Sunday. Those results have left Fabregas demanding more consistency from his squad as they juggle the demands of Serie A and Europe.

Facing an old rival in Van Bronckhorst

Wednesday’s clash in Rotterdam will see Fabregas come up against Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a familiar foe from their playing days. The two locked horns in a Champions League final and a World Cup final, and Fabregas was quick to pay tribute to the Dutchman. “We played against each other in a Champions League final and in the World Cup final,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia. “He’s a great guy, a great person, very handsome, a beautiful player and he’s proving to be a great coach as well.”

The mutual respect is clear, but the stakes could hardly be higher. A positive result at De Kuip would keep Como’s European ambitions firmly on track and reinforce the notion that Fabregas Como s Champions League dream must become reality sooner rather than later.

No concerns over Nico Paz

Fabregas also addressed the form of star attacker Nico Paz, who scored three times for Argentina during the international break but has managed just one goal and one assist in his first six Serie A appearances of the season. The coach dismissed any suggestion that the 21-year-old is struggling.

“He’s always judged by goals and assists, but he had the two or three best actions against Roma,” Fabregas argued. “He’s decisive for us. He’s strong, he’s still growing and he’s only at the beginning of his third season as a professional. He’s travelled and played with his national team, it doesn’t worry me, I’ve been there as well. Ups and downs are normal. I think he’s doing well, he wants to grow and learn.”

Paz’s ability to unlock defences will be crucial against a Feyenoord side that knows how to make life difficult for visiting teams. If Como are to make their mark in Europe, the young Argentine will need to translate his international form onto the club stage.

Rotation and the realities of European football

This is Fabregas’s first season managing a Champions League side, and he acknowledged that squad rotation will be essential. “I don’t know. It’s the first time in history we’ve done it and it’s the first time in my career as well,” he said. “A lot of them made their Champions League debuts against Leipzig. We’re still growing. We know that we will be judged by results, but we’re living a dream that must slowly turn into the reality. We’re only at the beginning. Anybody who’s achieved anything in life knows that what you do on your first day is not the same thing you’d do after 10 years. I’m calm, I want everyone to play as much as possible, they all deserve it.”

The message is clear: Fabregas Como s Champions League dream must become reality through patience, development and a collective effort. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder knows better than most that talent alone is not enough at this level.

A personal quest for European glory

Fabregas was asked whether he would swap his World Cup winner’s medal for a Champions League title, a trophy that eluded him throughout his playing career. “Obviously I’ll keep the World Cup, it’s the best thing a player can win,” he replied. “But I missed out on the Champions League and it hurt me incredibly. But the past is made up of memories and I’m a coach now.”

That painful memory now fuels his desire to succeed as a manager. Leading Como to a deep run in the Champions League would be a remarkable achievement for a club that was in Serie B just a few years ago. Fabregas Como s Champions League dream must become reality not only for the fans but for the coach himself, who is determined to write a new chapter in his football story.

Conclusion

As Como prepare for a pivotal test against Feyenoord, the spotlight will be on Fabregas and his ability to inspire a squad that is still finding its feet among Europe’s elite. The 4-1 win over Leipzig proved that they belong on this stage, but consistency is the hallmark of true contenders. With Fabregas at the helm, there is a growing belief that Fabregas Como s Champions League dream must become reality. The journey is only just beginning, and Wednesday’s match in Rotterdam will offer a clear indication of how far this Como side can go.