Fabregas: ‘Honoured to be first Como coach in Champions League’
SASSUOLO, ITALY - APRIL 17: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como 1907, looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Como 1907 at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Cesc Fabregas admits he is ‘honoured to be the first coach in the history of Como to participate in the Champions League,’ but some RB Leipzig decisions surprised him.
It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
This is truly an historic occasion, as it is the first ever European fixture for this club, not to mention in the most prestigious tournament in club football.
The Stadio Sinigaglia needed renovation work over the summer to be brought up to code and is ready to host this event, with directors choosing to give up their seats for long-term fans.
Fabregas makes history with Como
“Today is historic for our city and our club, but we must also do well to focus and be responsible, because we’re playing against a great team,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia.
“We are honoured to play in this competition, but now we have to set all that aside and go out there to fight.”
RB Leipzig’s only previous two Champions League meetings with Italian teams didn’t go well, losing to Juventus and Inter in the 2024/25 group phase, but then the Germans lost seven of their eight games in that competition.
“They made a few changes tonight that I wasn’t expecting, so we’ll see whether Andrija Maksimovic plays wide or in the centre. They are very strong with their wingers and put a lot of bodies into the box,” added Fabregas.
“Leipzig are hungry and energetic, they play the kind of positional football that their coach likes, signing physically strong players who they can sell in the future. It is a big test for us.”
There is a full squad to choose from this evening, except for long-term absentee Jayden Addai, plus Maxence Caqueret and Edoardo Goldaniga who are not in the UEFA list.
“I always dream big, but life takes you into different situations. I like to have faith in what I do and transmit positivity. When we started here, the plan was to do this in four or five years, but we did it in just two and a half.
“Every step is increasingly important, we are here, and now we must challenge in an important match.”
Como become the 16th Italian club in the Champions League, including its previous iteration as the European Cup, yet Fabregas took charge when they were in Serie B.
“I am very honoured to be the first coach in the history of Como to participate in the Champions League. We are a very young club, we started pushing hard only two and a half years ago, and we’ve got to stick together for the good of Como and Italian football.
“In our little way, we want to fly the flag for Italian football.”
“Como is firmly on the footballing map.” 🗺️@AnitaNnekaJones and @delpieroale on how Como’s rise to the Champions League has put the club firmly in the spotlight ✨ pic.twitter.com/gOgmOHtXZ0
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 10, 2026
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