Europe’s next great coach? How Fabregas led Como into Champions League
Europe's next great coach? How Fabregas led Como into Champions League. BBC Sport visits Como to discover the vision and philosophy of the club's coach, Cesc Fabregas, who has overseen the team's remarkable rise to the Champions League.
What happened
How Fabregas led Como into Champions LeagueEurope's next great coach? How Fabregas led Como to Champions LeagueByAdwaidh RajanBBC Sport journalistPublished1 hour agoComo president Mirwan Suwarso and several directors are giving up their tickets for the club's Champions League debut to allow elderly supporters to attend. It is a tale of casual jobs, a determination to succeed and a nomadic coaching career across Europe – which now brings the 49-year-old back to England in the Champions League with the Azerbaijani club.
They finished 10th in their first season in the top division before former Spain international Fabregas guided them to a top-four finish and a place in the Champions League last term. Published17 hours agoComo renew striker's contract after cancer diagnosisPublished7 hours agoComo end 21-year Serie A absence with Cosenza drawPublished11 May 2024Champions League scores & fixturesListen to the latest Football Daily podcastGet football news sent straight to your phonePublished28 AugustWatch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
I think that I'm the coach of Real Madrid and a Champions League game is going to happen. Related topicsFootballReal MadridUEFA Champions LeagueInter MilanEuropean FootballMore on this storyChampions League returns – who are favourites and players to watch?
The wider picture
As former European champions who lifted the trophy under Jose Mourinho in 2004, they possess considerable Champions League pedigree. Related topicsEuropean FootballFootballUEFA Champions LeagueManchester CityMore on this storyListen to the latest Football Daily podcast "Now I'm going to come back as a coach in the Champions League and hear that anthem. Related topicsFootballUEFA Champions LeagueManchester UnitedEuropean Football WATCH MORE: Fabregas, film stars and Disney: How Como are disrupting Italian footballSubsectionFootballPublished7 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated topicsFootballFollow Footballclose panelYou are now following FootballUpdates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage.
However, the demand for tickets for Como's historic European debut has far exceeded the supply. " Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mirwan Suwarso has been the president of Como since 2019Como have enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years, climbing from the lower divisions to secure a place among Europe's elite. After their opener against Leipzig, Como will also face Feyenoord, Manchester United, Lens, AEK Athens, Real Betis, Paris St-Germain and Barcelona in their maiden European campaign.
What has been reported
Champions League returns – who are favourites and players to watch? There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00. Related topicsFootballUEFA Champions LeagueItalian Serie ARB Leipzig Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jose Mourinho has won the Champions League twice, with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010ByElizabeth ConwaySpanish football reporterPublished6 hours agoThere are few more fitting opponents for Jose Mourinho's return to the Champions League as Real Madrid boss than Inter Milan.
It was his second Champions League triumph, after Porto in 2004, and the final match of his Inter reign. For Real Madrid, the match provides the first test of whether the manager they returned to can lead them back to Champions League glory. Champions League Highlights22:00 on WednesdayWatch on iPlayerWatch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. Real lifted the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012, while Mourinho's side also reached three consecutive Champions League semi-finals.
What happens next
Mourinho eventually left in 2013 without delivering the Champions League trophy Real wanted. "Obviously in the Bernabeu, I've won the Champions League, I've lost a Champions League semi-final through penalties, but I've had the best and the worst in this stadium. His appeal to Real Madrid lies partly in his experience of managing elite dressing rooms and, crucially, knowing what it takes to win the Champions League. Published12 AugustWhy Inter is the perfect first testReal's preparations before their first Champions League game of the season have not been perfect.
"The French forward also rejected the idea that Real's two trophyless seasons should create an additional burden for the new Champions League season. "I want to think how I can be ready now, to help my team to win the game against Inter Milan and to start the Champions League in a good way. It was to represent the 2010 Champions League semi-final between Inter and Barcelona.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.