Fabregas Como find way to hurt Feyenoord as Champions League is unforgiving

FolioPitch.com – 15 October 2026 | Cesc Fabregas has revealed his tactical plan as Fabregas Como find way to hurt Feyenoord Champions League is unforgiving, warning that Europe’s elite competition offers no margin for error. The Como manager, preparing his side for a historic first away match in the Champions League against Feyenoord at De Kuip, acknowledged the challenge but remained confident in his squad’s ability to adapt.

Como’s inaugural Champions League campaign began with a stunning 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at home, making them the only Italian side to have registered a win in the competition so far this season. However, their domestic form has dipped, with just one point from their last two Serie A outings against Frosinone and a ten-man Roma. Fabregas knows that balancing European ambitions with league commitments is a delicate act, especially with a squad stretched thin by injuries and ineligibility.

“We have a limited squad in the Champions League, because Caqueret, Addai and Kean cannot play today, so we need to make changes and also prepare for Serie A, which is the most important thing for us,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia. “We’ll see how it goes today, we prepared based on how they defend, which is a bit more positional, and will try to hurt them in a different way.”

The absence of Moise Kean, injured on international duty, has forced Fabregas to improvise in attack. Nico Paz, typically a midfielder, is expected to start as a false nine, though Martin Baturina and Assane Diao are also capable of rotating into that role. Paz will also wear the captain’s armband from the start for the first time in his Como career, a testament to his growing influence. “I didn’t know he was the captain, I’d forgotten, they told me on the bus,” Fabregas admitted. “It’s another step, the good thing about us as a club and staff is so many new challenges have emerged over the last three years, so individually and collectively, we’ve got to keep developing.”

Defensively, Fabregas has opted for a more conservative approach, with Alex Valle and Ivan Smolcic as full-backs, replacing the attack-minded Yan Couto and Bruno Kaiki who started against Roma. This shift signals a recognition of Feyenoord’s strengths and the need for stability in a hostile away environment. “I trust what I see in my squad, studying the opponents, and trusting my own experience as a player,” Fabregas explained. “Look at yesterday’s results, Bayern Munich held by Viking, Barcelona winning after they risked going 2-0 down. The Champions League is unforgiving, there are moments when you need a little more stability. Valle and Smolcic played all season and got fourth place in Serie A, so that is not to be sniffed at.”

The manager’s emphasis on adaptability is clear. He acknowledged that the match against Roma, where Como faced man-to-man marking across the pitch, was the most difficult context so far, but his side showed no fear. “As coaches we have to think of something different in every match and hope that we get it right,” he added. That philosophy will be tested against a Feyenoord side leading the Eredivisie and eager to make their mark in Europe.

Fabregas Como find way to hurt Feyenoord Champions League is unforgiving—a sentiment that resonates throughout his pre-match comments. The former World Cup winner knows that in this competition, tactical flexibility and mental resilience are as important as technical ability. Como’s journey is still in its infancy, but the ambition is evident. With each match, Fabregas aims to add something more to the team, blending youthful energy with seasoned experience.

As Como prepare to face Feyenoord, the spotlight will be on how Fabregas’s adjustments pay off. The decision to field a more defensive full-back pairing and deploy Paz in a hybrid role suggests a pragmatic approach designed to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. It’s a strategy that acknowledges Feyenoord’s positional defending while seeking to exploit spaces they leave behind.

In conclusion, Fabregas’s comments underscore the unforgiving nature of the Champions League and the need for constant evolution. Como’s historic victory over Leipzig proved they belong on this stage, but sustaining that success requires shrewd management and adaptability. As they take on Feyenoord, Fabregas Como find way to hurt Feyenoord Champions League is unforgiving—a reminder that every detail matters. The outcome will reveal whether Como’s tactical tweaks can deliver another memorable European night.