Cesc Fabregas Leads Como Into History as Milan and Juventus Suffer Champions League Disaster

Cesc Fabregas has guided Como into the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s 119-year history after completing one of the most remarkable rises in modern Italian football.

The ambitious Serie A side sealed their historic qualification with an emphatic 4-1 victory over already-relegated Cremonese, capping a sensational campaign under the former Spain international.

Based on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, the club have completed an extraordinary transformation since Indonesian billionaire brothers Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono purchased the club in 2019 while they were competing in Serie D.

Now, just seven years later, Como are preparing for Champions League football.

Fabregas himself has played a major role in that journey both on and off the pitch. The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder joined Como as a player in 2022 during their Serie B days, later becoming a minority shareholder alongside Arsenal legend Thierry Henry before eventually stepping into management.

After serving in an interim role, Fabregas was officially appointed head coach in July 2024 following Como’s promotion to Serie A after a 22-year absence from the top flight.

Since then, the highly-rated 39-year-old has rapidly established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young coaches.

Fabregas Hails Como’s Young Squad

Speaking after securing Champions League qualification, Fabregas paid tribute to his youthful squad and reflected emotionally on the club’s incredible progress.

“This squad is full of young players,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“We have around 15 players under the age of 23, so this achievement is a masterpiece from the entire group. They always listened, always wanted to improve and raised the level at exactly the right moment.”

The Spaniard reserved special praise for his players’ commitment throughout the season.

“As coaches, we can only guide them, give them ideas and show them where the spaces are, but they are the ones who deliver on the pitch,” he said.

“I am incredibly happy for the people of Como because they truly deserve this moment.”

“We Had Nothing When We Started”

Fabregas also opened up on the scale of the rebuilding project he inherited when he first arrived at the club four years ago.

“I always say I had to make many important decisions because I was practically handed the keys to the football side of the club,” he explained.

“When I first arrived, there was practically nothing here.”

The former midfielder then shared a remarkable story highlighting how dramatically the club has evolved in such a short period.

“I was speaking today with two physios who were already here when I arrived as a player,” he said.

“We did not even have a proper training ground back then. Massages were being done on tables in the back room of a bar — and now we are in the Champions League.”

Fabregas also admitted the experience has accelerated his development as a coach.

“This is only my second and a half season as a manager, so I must thank my staff for constantly pushing and inspiring me,” he added.

“I know I can be demanding at times, but this is my life. I always want more.

“I have grown enormously through this experience. It has felt like attending a football university every single day because of the number of decisions I’ve had to make.

“The day I eventually leave Como, I will leave as a complete coach.”

Milan and Juventus Endure Historic Collapse

While Como celebrated one of the greatest achievements in their history, the mood was entirely different for AC Milan and Juventus after both Italian giants failed to qualify for the Champions League.

For the first time since 1992 — and the first time in the Champions League era — both clubs will miss out on Europe’s premier club competition in the same season.

Milan suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to Cagliari, while Juventus were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by rivals Torino in a chaotic encounter overshadowed by crowd trouble outside the stadium which delayed kick-off.

The disappointing results left Milan and Juventus fifth and sixth respectively, condemning both clubs to Europa League football next season, while Roma joined Napoli and champions Inter Milan in securing Champions League qualification.

Allegri and Spalletti React to Disappointment

Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri admitted the failure to qualify for the Champions League was a bitter blow for the club.

“At this moment, I feel disappointed and angry because we missed out on the Champions League,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“After beating Genoa last week, nobody expected a defeat like this.”

Despite the setback, Allegri defended his players and insisted the entire season must be assessed fairly.

“Unfortunately, this is football and we must accept it,” he said.

“We need to evaluate the whole season properly. I cannot criticise my players because they always gave everything throughout the campaign.”

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti also accepted responsibility after his side failed to secure the result they needed.

“I am the coach, so I must analyse what happened,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“We had the match under control. These are the games where you discover a team’s true character and mentality.”

Antonio Conte Announces Napoli Exit

Elsewhere on a dramatic final day in Serie A, title-winning Napoli manager Antonio Conte confirmed he will leave the club amid growing links with the Italy national team vacancy.

Conte revealed he informed Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis of his decision more than a month ago.

“I called the chairman a month ago and told him that, because of the relationship we have, I felt my time here was coming to an end,” Conte explained.

“The decision was entirely mine.”

The veteran coach also admitted internal tensions at the club contributed to his departure.

“There were situations I did not like,” Conte said.

“Some new players arrived in January while the existing group and I were already dealing with difficult dynamics.

“There came a point where I felt it was right to speak openly and take responsibility.”

Conte concluded with a brutally honest reflection on his time in Naples.

“My biggest failure at Napoli was not being able to unite everyone,” he admitted.

“I saw too much negativity and too much bitterness. The moment you can no longer work calmly and naturally, then for me it becomes a step backwards.”