Fabregas: ‘Wenger inspiration for Como, Juventus are like Real Madrid’
Cesc Fabregas admits he learned from ‘second father’ Arsene Wenger as Como shocked Juventus with a 2-0 victory, but rejects Champions League ambitions. ‘One step at a time.’
This was a huge victory for the minnows, who managed to beat Juve away in Serie A for the first time since March 1951.
They were clinical in Turin, pouncing on defensive errors to secure a 2-0 result with Mergim Vojvoda and Maxence Caqueret, while both Lucas Da Cunha and Juve’s Teun Koopmeiners rattled the woodwork.
Fabregas ‘proud’ as Como beat Juventus
“Focus becomes fundamental if you want to come here and beat a strong team with a coach who had turned a corner. I know people look only at the results, but if you look at the style of football and level of performances since Spalletti arrived, it is an incredible turnaround,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.
“We tried to play in a way that made it difficult for them today. My lads put in a top performance, and we did something different to other games, which was to score the second goal. Against this kind of talent and quality, if you don’t get the second goal, they will claw you back eventually.
“I really liked that my goalkeeper only made one save in the whole match, which means we were in control of the situation.”
Martin Baturina went off with an injury, but he was replaced by Sergi Roberto for a very technical and possession-based midfield, even without suspended Nico Paz.
“I cannot lie and say Nico Paz is not important, of course he is, but I think the team realising they can win even without him is a big boost for their self-belief. Of course he is a fantastic player and will continue to be crucial for us,” added Fabregas.
“When you play this type of game, there are moments when players have to take control, otherwise they start losing the ball, losing confidence. We need players who want the ball at their feet and have the character to deal with that pressure.
“We can also play in different ways, so we have some who are better on the counter-attack, others who like to keep the ball. There are so many games, even within a single game, a tactical adjustment can transform everything and make it 100 games in one.
“I can say this as a Spaniard, Juventus are like the Real Madrid of Italy, so for me to come here and play like this makes me very proud.”
Como have now closed to within a point of fifth-placed Juventus, so they are well in the fight not just for Europe, but potentially even the Champions League spots.
They are also preparing for the Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter next month.
“I cannot say we are going for one target or another, don’t forget we were in Serie B a year and a half ago, so we’ve got to take it calmly, one step at a time, building a culture and identity that can take us to win every game we possibly can.”
It was also put to the former Arsenal midfielder that the second goal on the counter from a corner felt similar to Arsene Wenger’s style.
“Arsene Wenger is like a second father to me, and obviously he worked a lot on transitions, attacking the space, something that is even more important in modern football. I learned a lot from him and want my team to do that,” concluded Fabregas.