Fabregas urges Como to be themselves in historic Champions League debut against Leipzig

Como manager Cesc Fabregas says Thursday’s Champions League meeting with Leipzig is a landmark occasion for the club and everyone connected with it.

Como will make their first appearance in the Champions League when they face the German side in the opening stage of the competition.

“The match against Leipzig in the Champions League is important for us, for our history and for every person at Como,” Fabregas told the club’s television channel.

Fabregas also stressed that Como must approach the match in the same way they would any other fixture, despite the significance of their European debut.

“At the same time, we have to be ourselves and put in a good performance against a big team,” he said. “They are a very well-organised side, so it will be a real test.”

The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder said he had deliberately avoided presenting the game as something entirely different from Como’s usual matches.

“I have not said anything unusual about the match,” Fabregas added. “If I had said something different, perhaps they would have thought it was a completely different game. I want them to approach it exactly as we always do.”

Como are competing in the Champions League for the first time in their history.