Cesc Fabregas Keeps Como Grounded Ahead of Frosinone Clash
Cesc Fabregas is in no mood for fairy tales.
On the eve of Como’s trip to Frosinone, the rookie coach made it clear: his side might be the story of Italy’s rapid risers, but they are not part of the Roma-Inter Scudetto fight. Not yet.
“I’ve won zero titles,” he reminded everyone, borrowing a line from Jose Mourinho to cut through the growing hype.
‘Roma and Inter are on another level’
Como’s surge has been extraordinary. From Serie B to the Champions League in three seasons, the club have forced their way into the national conversation and unsettled the old hierarchy. The question now follows Fabregas everywhere: are Como ready to crash the title race?
Asked if he would watch Saturday’s showdown between Roma and Inter and whether he considered Como in that same bracket, Fabregas didn’t hesitate.
“In my view, they are the two strongest teams in Italy. I will watch it because I love football and think it is going to be an incredible game, not because they are our direct competitors for position,” he said in his press conference.
There have already been whispers that he is building a Cruyff-style project on the shores of Lake Como, a bold, expansive footballing identity with long-term ambitions. Fabregas swatted that away too.
“I am a long way from so many, let alone him. Jose Mourinho said there are coaches who have won titles and others who won zero titles, and I am in the latter camp.
“The most important thing is Como, not me. I am within this project and I give it my all. The key for a coach is time to work, and I think this team has improved so much over the last two years. If we can continue with this same side for two, four, five years, then we can really do something, but if we change every six months, it’s difficult.”
The message was unmistakable: judge the process, not the noise.
Frosinone test: ‘One of the five toughest games’
All of that talk about Roma, Inter and long-term projects stops on Sunday at the Stadio Benito Stirpe. For Fabregas, the only thing that matters is Frosinone at 14.00 UK time.
He knows what’s coming.
“It is going to be one of the five most difficult matches of our Serie A season,” he insisted.
Frosinone, promoted from Serie B in the summer, have started to punch above their weight, collecting two wins and a draw from their last three outings. They play with the freedom of a team that refuses to be intimidated by reputations.
“Frosinone are in great form, watching them I can see 11 friends giving their all for each other, they play with courage and on the front foot. We need the perfect performance and I really enjoyed seeing Massimiliano Alvini’s team in action.
“They have a fluidity and a very positive mentality, they’re a genuine danger for anyone they face, and if we want to win, we need our best performance of the season.”
The pressure finally settles on his own dressing room. Como, the Champions League newcomers, are being warned by their own coach that this is not a routine away day. It’s a benchmark.
Full squad, big decisions
For the first time this season, Fabregas has a full squad at his disposal. That alone changes the dynamic.
Jayden Addai, sidelined after surgery on a torn Achilles tendon, is back and ready to return to the bench. His presence offers another attacking option and a psychological boost to a group that has already stretched itself across domestic and European fronts.
But the most delicate call lies in goal.
Fabregas must choose between long-term No. 1 Jean Butez and new arrival Robert Sanchez, on loan from Chelsea. Sanchez has arrived with medals, pedigree and the experience of playing under constant scrutiny.
“Sanchez arrived from a very important club, he won trophies and knows how to deal with constant pressure to win. We didn’t expect him to come here, but it’s important for every player to get rest, even the goalkeepers. The last game was the first time in a year and a half that Butez didn’t start.
“That was a test, we’ll take it one game at a time and see what happens.”
It is a small window into Fabregas’ management style: ruthless enough to test his established goalkeeper, pragmatic enough to refuse to name a permanent No. 1 on principle.
Como travel to Frosinone with their project accelerating, their coach keeping his feet firmly on the ground and his eyes fixed on a single demand: the perfect performance. If they find it on Sunday, how long can he keep insisting they’re not part of the conversation at the top?
