Como President eyes ‘more Italians’ and stadium upgrade for Europe

COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli is challenged by Jacobo Ramon and Nico Paz of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We already have a strong identity. The core of the team is already there. There will be 23 players returning from loans, and we’ll have to find the best solution to make our transfers sustainable.”

The Azzurri have been among the biggest spenders in Serie A over the past two years, leading some to argue that their impressive sporting results are unsurprising given their substantial budget.

“We don’t care what people say. Obviously, having resources helps, but football is full of examples where this equation hasn’t led anywhere,” Suwarso replied.

Como President: Italian players are ‘expensive’

“The focus is not on how money is spent, but on making a club profitable and sustainable. The target is to do so in the next two or three years.”

Would Champions League qualification help Como keep Nico Paz?

“No, it all depends on Real Madrid,” insisted Suwarso.

Como will also need to add more Italians to their team to comply with UEFA regulations for European competitions.

“We are always looking for more Italians. We bought four in our first Serie A season,” Suwarso said.

“The problem is that they are expensive and we can’t pay them in instalments. We are developing four or five Italian players who we hope will be ready for the first team. I like many of them, Orsolini, Bastoni, Dimarco, but we can’t afford them. Venturino is also strong, like Cambiaghi and Lazio’s Pellegrini.”

COMO, ITALY – MAY 10: Como 1907 president Mirwan Suwarso during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on May 10, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Suwarso also spoke highly of the Italian football environment, highlighting the off-field collaboration with many other clubs.

“It’s a very welcoming country, like Indonesia to some extent,” he said.

“I’ve also found excellent examples of entrepreneurship and many friends who have inspired me. Percassi, Marotta, Fenucci, Lotito, De Laurentiis. The clubs compete on the pitch, but off the pitch, there are ideas for mutual support and to make the league grow. Compared to other experiences I’ve had elsewhere in Italy, there is a great closeness and a collaborative spirit.”