Como Boss Cesc Fàbregas Admits He Was 'Angry' to Concede Despite Breaking Italian Away-Scoring Record in 9-1 Champions League Win at Lens

Cesc Fàbregas could hardly have asked for a more emphatic Champions League performance as Como demolished Lens 9-1 in France. However, the Spanish manager revealed that conceding a second-half goal still left him angry, even as his team made European football history with an unprecedented away-scoring achievement for an Italian club.

Fàbregas Finds One Reason to Be Frustrated After Historic Victory

Como manager Cesc Fàbregas admitted he was angry with his players for conceding a goal despite celebrating an extraordinary 9-1 victory over Lens in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

The Italian side produced one of the most remarkable performances of the European season, scoring nine times away from home to equal the competition's biggest winning margin. Yet Fàbregas' immediate reaction showed that his expectations extended beyond simply winning by a substantial scoreline.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the match, the former Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder explained that a defensive adjustment following three substitutions contributed to the concession.

His frustration was particularly notable given that Como had dominated the encounter and established a commanding advantage long before Lens found the net.

Como Set an Unprecedented Record for Italian Clubs

The result represented a historic achievement for Como and Italian football.

Before Wednesday's encounter, no Italian club had scored even seven away goals in the history of the European Cup or Champions League. Fàbregas' side went several steps further by finding the net nine times at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

The achievement underlined the attacking quality Como have displayed during their debut Champions League campaign. They had already recorded 4-1 victories over RB Leipzig and Manchester United at home, although they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Feyenoord.

Their victory over Lens also made them the first away side to score nine goals in a Champions League match, adding another remarkable milestone to an already memorable European campaign.

Ruben Aguilar's Goal Sparks the Manager's Frustration

Lens' only goal arrived in the 65th minute through Ruben Aguilar, who produced an impressive volley from a corner.

Fàbregas explained that Como had changed their defensive approach after making three substitutions, and he was unhappy that the adjustment allowed the French side to score.

The goal also carried a personal connection for the Como manager because Aguilar was his former team-mate at Monaco.

Fàbregas revealed that he joked with the Lens defender afterwards, telling him he had never seen him score a goal like that before. Despite his disappointment at conceding, the manager acknowledged the quality of the finish.

His reaction reflected the standards he wants to establish at Como, where defensive organisation remains important regardless of how many goals the team scores.

Douvikas Leads Como's Attacking Masterclass

Tasos Douvikas was among the outstanding performers, scoring a hat-trick and continuing his impressive European scoring run.

The Greek striker found the net in the seventh, 32nd and 57th minutes, becoming the leading scorer in the Champions League at that stage of the competition.

Nico Paz, Lucas Da Cunha, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Mattia Liberali and Martin Baturina also scored, while 18-year-old debutant Matteo Papaccioli completed the nine-goal performance in stoppage time.

The variety of goalscorers demonstrated the collective nature of Como's performance. Rather than relying on one individual, Fàbregas' team repeatedly created opportunities through coordinated attacking movements and effective passing combinations.

Fàbregas Warns Players Against Becoming Complacent

Despite the historic scoreline, Fàbregas was keen to ensure his players did not become carried away by the achievement.

The former Spain international described the evening as wonderful for Como, their supporters and the young players in the squad. However, he stressed the importance of humility, continued learning and hard work.

He also pointed out that this was only Como's fourth Champions League match, making it too early for the team to assume that its European progress was guaranteed.

His comments reflected a desire to build a sustainable competitive culture rather than allow one exceptional result to create unrealistic expectations.

Como's victory was their sixth consecutive win in all competitions, but the manager was already thinking about the next challenge.

Inter Milan Challenge Comes Before European Tests Against PSG and Barcelona

Como's attention now turns to a demanding Serie A fixture against reigning Italian champions Inter Milan on Sunday, 8 November.

Fàbregas described the match as extremely important, particularly with his side approaching the international break after a demanding run of fixtures.

The manager also acknowledged that several attacking players were unavailable through injury, making their recovery a major priority.

In the Champions League, Como still have important league-phase fixtures against AEK Athens, Real Betis, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. Fàbregas admitted that seeing PSG and Barcelona among the final opponents had convinced him that Como needed to collect as many points as possible in the earlier rounds.

Their victory in Lens has placed them fourth in the standings with nine points from four matches. While the manager is refusing to get carried away, Como have already demonstrated that their Champions League debut deserves serious attention.