Como will play Inter at San Siro on Sunday at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET), in a match Cesc Fabregas describes as an important test for his side.
Match details and head-to-head
Como have never beaten Inter, including in last season’s Coppa Italia semi-final. Fabregas said in his press conference: “It feels like every week you ask me about a new test of our maturity”
Fabregas said: “We came close three times, but when Inter raise the bar, they become too strong for everyone. We need to play our football, do our thing, without anxiety or pressure. After this match, we’ll see where we are.”
He also said: “I never stop learning from the best. The victory over Lens can happen once, if we’re lucky, in our lives, but Inter are the reigning Champions of Italy, won the Coppa Italia, played two Champions League Finals. Who knows, tomorrow we might pull a surprise with the perfect performance.”
Injuries and Italy call-ups
Trevoh Chalobah is close to a full recovery but remains out, along with Moise Kean, Assane Diao, Jesus Rodriguez and Jayden Addai.
Mattia Liberali and 17-year-old youth talent Riccardo Cassano received senior Italy call-ups for the Nations League.
Lens win and Arteta’s advice
Como won 9-1 away to RC Lens. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta watched the victory and was impressed with the performance.
Fabregas said Arteta advised him to take the Como job despite having doubts. He said: “Arteta sets a great example for all of us for what he is building at Arsenal. The patience shown by the club, even when there were moments of tension and he was eighth in the table, that is what we need too. I see him as inspiration for what we want to do in football.”
Fabregas on his coaching development
Asked if he feels that he has improved as a coach in the last couple of years, Fabregas said: “It depends. If I deal with results better, absolutely not, but I do feel I’ve grown in my ability to prepare for and read games. Plus I haven’t been booked for dissent yet!”
