Fabregas Hails Como’s Potential After Parma Win Extends Unbeaten Start
Como beat Parma 2-1 at the renovated Stadio Sinigaglia to protect their unbeaten Serie A start, and Cesc Fabregas said the result showed the squad is beginning to reveal its potential.
The home win came after Como opened the league season with three away fixtures while UEFA compliance work was completed at their stadium. Fabregas’s side are third on 10 points after four games, with three victories and one draw.
Quick facts
- Como defeated Parma 2-1 in their first Serie A home match of the season.
- The club had beaten RB Leipzig 4-1 in its first Champions League match on Thursday.
- Brazilian defender Kaiki scored Como’s decisive goal.
- Moise Kean made his first start following his move from Fiorentina.
- Como have taken 10 points from a possible 12 in Serie A.
Fabregas made changes after the midweek Champions League breakthrough and was encouraged by the response from those who entered during the match. He said several players were exhausted, but the substitutes gave him proof that he can depend on the full group.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder described it as a major moment in his work at Como. “I am starting to understand the side we can become,” he said after praising both the display and the importance of the three points.
Kaiki’s winner underlined a key part of Fabregas’s plan: defenders contributing at the other end. The coach said the Brazil international has quality, enjoys the defensive side of the game and should increasingly deliver what Como require as he settles.
Fabregas pointed to Arsenal as the template for the value of goals from the back, particularly through set pieces. He believes adding that threat to Como’s existing strengths would give the team another advantage.
The Parma test also answered a question hanging over the squad after Thursday’s 4-1 win over Leipzig. Fabregas celebrated wildly at full-time because he wanted to see how his players would react mentally after a Champions League night and the new demands of competing on two fronts.
Como created 31 attempts but initially found the net only once, allowing Parma to alter their defensive approach and eventually equalise. Fabregas said failing to take chances can make games dangerous, especially once opponents close spaces and threaten a response.
Kean replaced Tasos Douvikas in the starting XI and is still learning the demands of Fabregas’s system. The coach expects the Italy forward to improve in the same way Douvikas has since arriving, and said he is pleased to have two high-level centre-forwards available.
