If there is one match that perfectly describes the evolution of soccer, it will take place on Wednesday between Como and Manchester United at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. On the one hand, one of the most legendary football clubs in the world, enduring a long decline. On the other hand, a small Italian club is building one of the most exciting projects in recent football thanks to the financial aspect, ideas and young players. On paper, you would think Manchester United would win, in reality, the opposite is true and Como are the favourites.
As coach Cesc Fabregas described the match against Manchester United as “a historic night for the city” and rightly so. When the Champions League took place in August, Como fans circled a few days in their calendars. He won his first ever Champions League tie at his home stadium, an incredible night of football that ended with a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig. Then they looked at the second home game against Juventus. It is a match that reflects Como’s rise in modern football, driven by the work of the coach and the team, as well as the ambitious plan of president Mirwan Suwarso, led by the club and backed by one of the wealthiest ownership groups in the game.
How Como became a Champions League team: Unique model, dominance, Cesc Fabregas’ impressive rise
Francis Porzio
How to observe Comus vs
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 12:45 pm ET
Location: Sinigaglia Stadium — Como
live stream ruler+
Discord: Como +120; Draw +271; Juventus +230
Speaking before the game, Fabregas joked about his approach to the match: “Tomorrow we will all line up in the edge of our penalty area and in the bus park. We will try to decorate ourselves without joking. We always ask ourselves: how do you want to lose? By playing our football and about our opponents. Today is historic in our city, the main moment that we experience well and to compose and compose the main season that we are. Ambition.
He adds, “Manchester United are like Inter, Milan or Juventus play with them. I focus on what the opposition can do and how they can hurt. If I keep the players wary of Manchester United, they will go on the pitch feeling afraid. The coach must always give his confidence, and I feel strong with the players. We can win if we do what we have to do. If we think that our opponents must be much tougher.
The mystery of Messi and Como
Fabregas will also have the support of his friend Lionel Messi, who recently posted a picture on social media of his son Ciron wearing a Como jersey. Fabregas showed himself to be the Argentine superstar after the gift, who also shared national films with Nico Paz, the rising star of Comense.
There is also a mystery surrounding Messi and the Italian club, as former Comense owner Enrico Preziosi has stated several times that there was an opportunity to sign Messi. He was 13 at that time, but Prezios was warned not to seal him because of concerns about his height. The Argentine youth also dealt with issues related to growth and the financial support needed to cover the cost of their treatment during adolescence. Preziosi told SportItalia in a TV interview “I missed Messi back when I was in Como. They showed me a kid playing in the field with the ball attached to his feet. I met the father who asked for $50,000. I convinced us to go ahead with the deal. Then I left on a trip to Hong Kong, and when I came back, I asked Carmine Gentile about the boy. The following year he came to Barcelona when he was 16 years old, and he did a great job of developing him.
But there are questions about the story of the former Earl. Messi has already been at Barcelona for 15 years, not 16, as suggested by the interview, and Gentile and Imborg have denied the story, saying they never had the chance to sign him. Gentilis told a local paper, “I never saw Messi at Como, and he never said he was too small. This story comes up every 20 years, but it’s false. I was only in charge of the first team, not the youth trials. Although here at the age of 12, not 12 years old, he was 1.80 meters tall. So I can confirm that Messi never played for Como.”
We may never know the full truth about whether Como really has the chance to sign Messi, or whether the story is destined to remain a mystery. It is certain, however, that Fabregas now has his sights set on the United States and a historic night that could send a powerful message to the world, not at this time, but for years to come: Como is no longer an ambitious goal. They are here among the developers.