Key Takeaways
- Cesc Fabregas feels both pride and annoyance after Como earn a point against Napoli
- The Spanish coach has now drawn all three meetings with Antonio Conte this season
- Fabregas urges Nico Paz to copy Ousmane Dembélé’s work rate after watching PSG’s Champions League display
Cesc Fabregas experienced mixed feelings following Como’s goalless draw against Napoli on Sunday. The Como manager admitted he felt both satisfaction and irritation after his side failed to secure victory at home.
The result marks the third time Fabregas has faced his former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte this campaign. All three encounters have ended in draws, though Como did prevail on penalties during their Coppa Italia quarter-final clash earlier this season.
Fabregas’s team created the better opportunities during the match. Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani cleared Tasos Douvikas’s shot off the goal line in the first half. However, the visitors nearly stole victory late on when Matteo Politano struck the woodwork.
Speaking to DAZN Italia after the final whistle, Fabregas explained his conflicting emotions. He stated that considering Como’s position just eighteen months ago, he feels extremely proud of their progress. Nevertheless, he expressed frustration that his team could not convert their performance into three points.
The Spanish tactician praised his midfield players for battling against Napoli’s strong centre. He highlighted the efforts of Nico Paz, Da Cunha, and Perrone as they competed with Stanislav Lobotka, Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne in the middle of the park.
This stalemate follows another goalless draw between the sides in November. During that previous meeting, Como goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a penalty from Alvaro Morata.
The dropped points could prove costly in the race for Champions League qualification. Both Juventus and Roma have opportunities to extend their lead over Como in the coming fixtures.
Fabregas emphasized that he maintains high standards for his squad. He acknowledged disappointment with previous displays against Sassuolo, Udinese, Parma and Fiorentina. However, he noted that his players usually meet his demands.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona star highlighted the invisible work behind the scenes. He reminded observers that Como returned to Serie A last year after twenty-one years outside the top division.
Attention now turns to Nico Paz’s future at the club. Real Madrid hold a buy-back clause for the Argentine midfielder, leading to speculation about his return to Spain. Fabregas remained non-committal about the player’s departure, suggesting the focus should remain on their current project.
The coach praised Paz’s improved defensive contribution during the Napoli match. The young Argentine tracked back frequently to support his back line.
Fabregas revealed he advised Paz to study Ousmane Dembélé’s performance in Paris. The Como manager attended the recent Champions League semi-final where Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich five-four. He observed Dembélé, a Ballon d’Or contender, marking opponents diligently.
“If a Ballon d’Or level player can perform defensive duties, everyone can,” Fabregas explained. He believes this total football approach suits his young squad perfectly.
When asked about PSG’s tactics, including kicking the ball into touch to build from the back, Fabregas confirmed Como employ similar strategies. He smiled as he noted they have used such methods previously, though with slight variations. The coach suggested they might adopt more extreme versions of these tactics in future matches.