Fabregas: Como ready for ‘dream’ Champions League meeting with Manchester United

Cesc Fabregas says Como’s Champions League fixture against Manchester United is a “dream come true” as the Italian club prepares for its first European campaign in 119 years.

Manchester United will visit the Sinigaglia on Wednesday, with Fabregas relishing the occasion after guiding Como to a 3-1 away victory over Fiorentina on Sunday. The result left the Lombardy club fifth in the Serie A table.

Como’s rapid rise has taken them from Serie D in 2019 to the Italian top flight, after they secured promotion in May 2024. Their return to Serie A followed three promotions in six seasons, having endured two bankruptcies during the previous two decades.

The meeting with Manchester United is another landmark for Como, who are competing in continental football for the first time in their 119-year history.

“They are a great team,” Fabregas said of Manchester United.

“Just three years ago, when we were in Serie B, it would have been unthinkable that Manchester United might come to the Sinigaglia [stadium] — yet on Wednesday, that is exactly what will happen. For us, it’s a dream come true; we’ll take our chances.”

Como opened their campaign with an impressive 4-1 home victory against Leipzig before losing 3-2 away to Feyenoord last week. They therefore have one win and one defeat from their first two matches.

Fabregas, who previously played for Arsenal, said Como’s progress required careful handling as the club continued to develop.

“For us, every day is an important step in our growth,” he added. “We are a new club-not in terms of our history, but because we started from scratch three years ago. Consequently, we have to be careful in how we manage a great many situations.”

The victory at Fiorentina maintained Como’s position near the top of Serie A and provided a positive response after the defeat by Feyenoord.

Their European campaign has added another chapter to a transformation that began after the club’s struggles in the lower divisions. Como had been competing in Serie D in 2019, but five years later they had returned to Italy’s top tier.

Now, the club will host one of the most recognisable names in European football, with Fabregas acknowledging the significance of Manchester United’s visit while insisting his team would approach the match ambitiously.