Liberali reveals first thing Fabregas told him after Como switch and Italy idol

Como talent Mattia Liberali reveals the first thing Cesc Fabregas told him this summer, names Francesco Totti as one of his Italy idols and jokes about Alphadjo Cisse: ‘If you text him, he replies after three days.’

Liberali held a press conference at Coverciano on Tuesday, joining his former Catanzaro teammate Cisse.

Both have received their first senior Italy call-up for the November break.

Liberali press conference: Every word Como talent said on November 10

Liberali was asked about the merits and defects of Cisse, and he replied smiling: “Starting with the defects: if you text him, he replies three days later. He lives in his own world, but that’s also one of his strengths because, on the pitch, he knows how to shut everything out and always plays with a carefree mindset, as we’ve seen in recent months,” he said.

“In the matches where I started playing last season [at Catanzaro], we played together. It was a great year, but it was also difficult at the beginning. You have to make the most of those moments and use them to work on yourself in training. The rewards have come, and we need to keep going like this. It’s only the beginning.”

Liberali scored three goals and provided four assists in 24 Serie B appearances with Catanzaro last season, but he wasn’t initially a regular starter under Alberto Aquilani, and the way he handled the situation impressed his current Como coach, Fàbregas.

“The first thing he told me on day one was congratulations on these last two years,” Liberali said.

“He liked how I stayed focused even when I wasn’t playing in the first few months, and he appreciated the choices I made.

“Fàbregas is a great coach. In just a few years, he has taken Como to the point of fighting for Champions League places and the league title. He’s helping me a lot, giving me a lot of confidence, and so far things are going really well. The group is young, just like here with the national team. They’re all great guys; they work hard, and the atmosphere is very positive.

“For a young player, Como’s environment is excellent and very important,” Liberali added.

“Being young doesn’t automatically mean you’ll play. You have to earn your opportunities and be ready when they come. It’s an ambitious club and an ambitious environment.

“I didn’t expect the [Como] group to be this united. I think that makes a huge difference. Fighting for one another means a lot in international football and in the Champions League. What really matters is the team’s unity, and in these matches we’ve shown that at our best.”

Liberali also sent a message to his ex-coach, Aquilani, who Sassuolo sacked on Monday.

“I’m sorry about Aquilani. I’ll text him in the next few days. I owe him a lot. Last year he gave me so much, both as a coach and on a personal level,” he said.

How does it feel to receive his first Italy call-up?

“I didn’t expect it, but it has had a big impact on me,” Liberali said.

“It’s an honor to be here. Both in football and beyond, there are important people around. They welcomed us like family from day one, and we’re settling in very well.

“It’s not easy to go from Serie B to Serie A and the Champions League in terms of intensity, but with hard work you can adapt if you are focused and know what you want.

“In today’s football, you need technical quality, but you also have to be physically prepared. The intensity is very high, and you have to be ready. There are many outstanding players here, like Vergara and Pisilli. It’s important to have players of that caliber.”

Has he received any specific request from Italy coach Roberto Mancini?

“He didn’t ask anything extraordinary of me, just to stay calm and train the way I know how. Everyone welcomed me warmly. The key is to stay relaxed and keep training as always.

[U21] coach Baldini helped me a lot, even though I only spent two weeks in preseason training with him. He’s very experienced, but before he became a coach, he focused on helping young players grow as people.

“A carefree mindset is the foundation for stepping onto the pitch. In the end, football is a game. You shouldn’t put extra pressure on yourself because plenty already comes from outside. Right now, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

Liberali refused to return to Milan, opting instead to move to Como. Does he have any regret seeing how quickly Cisse has adapted?

“No regrets. As I often say, make decisions with conviction and without looking back,” Liberali said.

“Leaving Milan wasn’t easy, but I’m very happy for Alpha. I text him often. But no, I have no regrets. It’s right to look forward, not backward.”

Italy host France next Thursday.

“There’s not much to say about France,” Liberali argued.

“They have undeniable world-class talent. We believe in qualification, and we’ll give absolutely everything we have.”

Lastly, Liberali named one of his Azzurri role models.

“There are plenty of role models to choose from, and many great players. Even the coach himself is a fantastic example. I’ve always liked Totti,” he concluded.