Fabregas hint at new Como approach with Inter, learning fresh ideas

Fabregas hint at new Como approach with Inter, learning fresh ideas

Cesc Fabregas gives some clues as to his new tactical approach when Como host Inter tonight and reveals he hopes to ‘pass on’ ideas he picked up watching Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The pressure is on the Lariani now, as after their run of five straight wins was ended by a 0-0 draw with Udinese, Juventus have temporarily leapfrogged them into fourth with a victory away to Atalanta.

Fabregas wants an ambitious Como approach

COMO, ITALY – MARCH 03: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas issues instructions to his players Anastasios Douvikas and Martin Baturina during the Coppa Italia match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“The lads proved to me that they had courage, character, focus, so I am very proud as a coach, because the most difficult thing is to convince the players, and they have given me their all,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“In football, one team wins and the other loses, all you can do is give everything you’ve got, and they make me proud.”

Como already hosted Inter on March 3 for the Coppa Italia semi-final, and that 0-0 draw left it wide open going into the second leg on April 21.

While Fabregas usually opts for Nico Paz as a False 9 in the big games, he goes all-attack here with Tasos Douvikas, Martin Baturina, Nico Paz and Assane Diao together.

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas issues instructions to his player Anastasios Douvikas of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and ACF Fiorentina at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Every game is different, I think that we are at a stage of the season where a young team with many players in their first season still have a lot to learn. We picked up a lot of confidence, know each other much better, have certain dynamics drilled in now,” said Fabregas.

“In the Coppa Italia over two legs, the first match is always a little different with an eye on the full 180 minutes, whereas tonight it’s a one-off Serie A game, one of 38 in total, and we cannot look beyond that.

“We always took it one game at a time this season in Serie A, our identity has always been to be attacking. Sergi Roberto brings experience and solidity to midfield, and we also have a different role for Diao that you will see when the game starts.

“We need to have devastating confidence on the ball to take on a team that dominates most games, we’ll see then by halftime whether we want to make a change or not.”

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Mergim Vojvoda of Como 1907 celebrates the opening goal with head coach Francesc Fabregas Soler during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Como 1907 at on February 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Fabregas was at the Bernabeu earlier this week to watch Real Madrid and Bayern Munich play in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. Did he pick up any tips?

“I am seeing a lot of matches lately, I went to Atalanta-Bayern Munich and Arsenal-Bayer Leverkusen too, because I like to see these high quality players live. Just the first touch, the control, how they play when pressed, these are the levels I’d love to see my teams play at one day. It helps me understand various dynamics, I love to see the ideas of these coaches, and hope to pass some of those on to my young players.”

Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez are both back in the squad after injury problems, so Jayden Addai remains the only absentee.