Como president reveals Barcelona influence behind Cesc Fabregas project

Como’s 9-1 demolition of French side Lens in the Champions League has placed Cesc Fabregas’ team at the centre of attention, but the club’s ambitions extend beyond their impressive results.

President Mirwan Suarso has revealed that Barcelona is the principal inspiration for Como’s footballing identity, with the Italian club seeking to build its project around possession, aggressive pressing and an attractive style of play.

Speaking to TNT Sports, in comments published by Sport, Suarso explained that Como’s approach was closely linked to Fabregas’ background at Barcelona’s La Masia academy.

“With regard to our football philosophy, we want to be like Barcelona,” said Suarso. “We want to rely on having possession of the ball, pressing high, controlling possession and playing attractive football.”

Fabregas came through La Masia and experienced at close quarters the methods that helped Barcelona, under Pep Guardiola, become a global reference point in football.

The former Spain midfielder is now applying those principles in Italy, regardless of the identity of the opposition. However, Suarso stressed that Como’s commitment to the Barcelona model is not dependent solely on Fabregas remaining in charge.

“Our starting point is our football identity. What type of football do we want to offer? How do we want to play?” he said. “We want that identity to remain in place even after there have been many changes in terms of coaches.”

That means Como do not want their playing style to be built exclusively around Fabregas. Instead, the club is aiming to establish a structure capable of surviving changes in the coaching staff.

Barcelona is not the only club Como are using as a reference. Suarso also highlighted Brighton and Brentford as examples of how effective sporting planning and talent identification can support the growth of a club.

“If we are talking about talent identification, it is clear that Brighton and Brentford have become the two models that all clubs look towards,” he said.

“At the same time, we are trying to find players who do not receive enough recognition but are capable of adapting to our system, using models similar to those employed by Brighton and Brentford.”

The strategy has already produced significant progress. Within only a few years, Como have moved from competing in the lower levels of Italian football to facing some of Europe’s leading clubs.

Their rise has been accompanied by a clear attempt to establish a lasting identity, rather than relying only on the influence of one coach or the impact of a single result. The 9-1 victory over Lens represents the latest evidence of the project’s rapid development, while Suarso’s comments underline the broader structure Como are trying to create.