Fabregas: 'Como learning from Arsenal, starting to see what we could become'

Cesc Fabregas described Como's win against Parma as a "crucial response" following their Champions League match. He notes learning from Arsenal and is beginning to grasp the team's future capabilities.

Como played their first home game of the Serie A season. They had been away for the initial three rounds due to renovations at the Stadio Sinigaglia, necessary to meet UEFA standards.

The team defeated RB Leipzig 4-1 in their historic Champions League debut on Thursday. Concerns arose about how Como would manage their resources after such a demanding fixture.

Fabregas satisfied with Como's reaction

"Several players were tired, we rotated the lineup, and I appreciated the impact of the substitutes," Fabregas stated in his post-match conference. "This was a vital response from the team, showing I can count on everyone. I'm very pleased with the performance. This victory is significant for me as a coach; I'm starting to see the team's potential."

"We faced many new challenges this season. When you have 31 shots on goal and only score once, you expect opponents to adjust their defense, increasing the risk of conceding, which eventually happened."

Fabregas witnessed new players in action, including Kaiki, who scored the second goal. "He's already played for Brazil, demonstrating his quality and considerable ability to help us. He enjoys defending, and that was evident today. He'll adapt gradually to meet our expectations."

"In today's football, defenders scoring goals is crucial. Arsenal secured the Premier League title with goals from their defense and set pieces. Adding this to our repertoire provides a distinct advantage."

Despite it being a Serie A match against Parma, Fabregas's celebration at the final whistle matched the intensity seen in the Champions League. "My celebration stemmed from the importance of this match. It was vital for me to observe the players' mindset after a Champions League fixture," he explained. "If we don't maintain the required level for 40 minutes, the game becomes extremely difficult."

Moise Kean made his first start, replacing Tasos Douvikas upfront following his transfer from Fiorentina. "Douvikas isn't the same player he was upon arrival, and the same will apply to Kean. This team requires different attributes than he's used to. It demands time and hard work, but I'm delighted to have two excellent strikers," Fabregas concluded.