By Alex Roberts
Sitting in 13th on the time of writing, many had anticipated Como to go straight again down, and though they’ll’t relaxation on their laurels, AND there’s nonetheless an opportunity of precisely that occuring, all indicators are pointing in direction of survival.
A lot of that’s right down to Fábregas, who can be a minority proprietor, the newest fashionable younger Spanish supervisor to burst onto the scene. These of us who’re older than 15 will keep in mind him as a participant, it wasn’t so way back he was tearing it up for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea.
There are a couple of gamers who seem destined to change into a high coach, Fábregas was one in every of them. The way in which he managed the sport, his eye for a cross, it was straightforward to inform he has the sort of thoughts that might translate effectively to his new function.
Unsurprisingly, the centre of the park performs an important function within the Spaniard’s model of play. Como primarily play with a 4-3-3, specializing in fast, quick passing whereas sustaining a compact midfield.
Fábregas loves a fast transition, overloading the midfield with versatile midfielders who rotate via the three positions, catching opponents who consider they could have escaped the most effective ball winner out.
That’s precisely what membership president Mirwan Suwarso desires to see. As a substitute of ceding floor to the larger sides, Como go at them toe-to-toe. Boring, defensive soccer was by no means an choice, leisure worth needed to come first.
Indonesian tobacco magnates and brothers Roberto Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono bought the membership over 5 years in the past, whereas they have been nonetheless in Serie D, with one mission, establishing Como as a model.
Suwarso hasn’t shied away from that both, saying: “We selected to spend money on Como as a result of investing solely in soccer comes with unpredictable dangers. Right here we’re counting on a model: We need to make this the highest soccer tourism vacation spot on the earth.”
The membership’s switch exercise displays that. Como have introduced in an excellent combination of well-known veterans like Pepe Reina, Raphaël Varane (who was compelled to retire after selecting up an harm in his debut), and now Dele Alli with international prospects.
Nico Paz is undoubtedly probably the most thrilling of these prospects. Becoming a member of from Actual Madrid final summer time, the wonderkid has starred in that quantity ten function, scoring six targets and offering 5 assists in his 27 recreation throughout all competitions up to now.
Maybe most impressively, numerous these purpose contributions have come in opposition to the larger golf equipment. Paz has both a purpose or an help in opposition to Roma, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Napoli, and AC Milan. Every of these sides are battling it out on the high finish of the Serie A desk.
The deal to carry him to Como got here with a sure stipulation, nevertheless. Actual Madrid have an extremely beneficial buy-back clause in his contract, retaining the choice to re-sign him for €8 million this summer time, €9 million in 2026, and €10 million in 2027.
Paz’s inventory is excessive, however Madrid’s squad is fairly effectively stocked, particularly within the last third. Don’t be stunned to see the Spanish giants activate the clause after which promote him for triple the worth shortly after.
The powers that be at Como aren’t silly although. They know issues on the pitch can change at any given time. Gamers get injured, type is fickle, and star gamers will be picked off by the large boys at any given second.
As a part of their model constructing initiative, Como have seen a number of Hollywood A-listers attend their video games. The world has lengthy been a hotspot for the wealthy and well-known, George Clooney famously owns a property on the lake.
Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Michael Fassbender, Kate Beckinsale and Benedict Cumberbatch are only a few well-known faces to have been noticed on the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia up to now this season.
They might all be large soccer followers, Knightley’s breakout function was as Juliette Paxton in Bend It Like Beckham in any case, however it’s unlikely they might have made the time to go to a Como recreation with out some form of initiative.
Lastly, there are the kits. Fellow water-based Italian facet Venezia proved simply how highly effective a very nice shirt and a superbly executed advertising marketing campaign could be a few years in the past. Sadly for them, it didn’t translate on the pitch.
Whereas Venezia centered on the creative historical past and landmarks of their nice metropolis, Como as soon as once more turned to Hollywood. Actors Emma Roberts, Chace Crawford, and Tom Ellis have been utilised to point out off their residence, away, and third shirts in a current marketing campaign.
In consequence, roughly 40% of Como tickets are bought by vacationers. That ought to come as no shock. Como the city is gorgeous, however in relation to issues to do, don’t count on to be too busy outdoors of sightseeing and lounging by the lake.
Ought to Como survive their first season again within the Italian high flight, the membership could have a incredible footballing basis to construct upon. Sure, it could really feel just a little bit plastic, however it’s onerous to argue with the work that has already been put into establishing the membership as a vacation spot.
Como can be busy within the coming switch window, and so they would possibly make a couple of strikes that shock lots of people. At a time when Italian soccer is struggling financially, maybe it’s not such a nasty factor in any case.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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