Cesc Fàbregas turns dreams into reality at Como | OneFootball

Italian football Italiano is currently undergoing a transition, with major teams changing coaches and greater parity in recent years. Meanwhile the rising Como, coached by Cesc Fàbregas, is one of the most interesting stories of the 2025/26 season so far.

With 21 points in Serie A, consisting of 5 wins, 6 draws, and only one defeat, Como is ahead of giants Juventus and Lazio in the table, holding an impressive sixth place.

Last Monday, the team from Lombardy region delivered a stunning 5-1 victory over the traditional Torino.

Highlight performances came from two young Argentine talents: Nico Paz, the team's playmaker scored a goal, while Máximo Perrone provided two assists.

With 118 years of history, Como has never finished higher than seventh in Serie A. If they maintain their sixth position, it would mark their best campaign ever in Italy.

Direct Play and a Certain Farewell

Trained in La Masia, Cesc Fàbregas is naturally associated with tiki-taka and possession control. Despite aiming to keep the ball, the young coach also bases his game plan on directness.

"We play with many [number] 10s and 8s, which I position slightly lower (in the initial phase of building play)… But always with offensive characteristics, circulating the ball correctly and looking to go forward as quickly as possible," he stated in an interview with Sky Sports.

This idea of Fàbregas draws from another equally important influence in his career: Arsène Wenger. The constant triangular passing and players swapping positions are a staple of his strategy.

A key player in this setup is the promising Nico Paz. Born in Spain due to his father's career, he has already played six matches for the Argentine senior national team.

Able to play as a number 8, 10, or even as a false 9, Paz has already notched up five goals and four assists in just 13 matches in the 2025/26 season.

Developed at Real Madrid, the player had limited opportunities in the first team and chose to leave. The Merengues, aware of the talent they had, agreed to sell Nico to Como, but with a buy-back clause.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the player has already agreed to return to Madrid. However, this arrangement will only take place next season, as the buy-back clause is not valid for the winter transfer window in Europe.

Thus, Fàbregas's Como has the rest of the season to continue disrupting the Italian giants. That said, the coach might also have an "expiration date" at the club.

According to European media, Cesc was approached by Internazionale and Bayer Leverkusen, but chose to stay in charge of Como. It remains to be seen for how long...