Cesc Fabregas again takes responsibility for his mistake against Milan, but also hints they are ‘seeking excuses’ for the draw, as he has ‘envy’ for his Como players facing Juventus today.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).
COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas salutes the fans at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 01, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The focus continues to be on the controversial incident that saw Fabregas tug the shirt of Alexis Saelemaekers when the ball was in play, and the failure of the disciplinary commission to punish him for it.
“I cannot touch a player, and I immediately apologised for what happened with Milan, but then you can try to hammer someone in the media and seek excuses for a draw, because it didn’t affect the result,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.
“You can ask for video evidence, I would accept any of that because I know that I made a mistake, but now we need to turn the page. I am young, and perfection does not exist, the important thing is to learn for the future.”
Fabregas wants to focus on Como’s football
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Cesc Fabregas Como 1907 head coach during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
This is a head-to-head for European places, because there are only four points separating fifth and sixth going into this clash.
“In the space of 64 hours, we are facing two of the biggest clubs in Italy, so it is a big test for us. Mental and physical fatigue does set in, but you have to find strength to combat that with motivation. Who is not motivated by playing in this atmosphere? I envy the players who get to be on the field today.
“We’d never done something like this, playing in Naples in the Coppa Italia, then Fiorentina, then Milan at San Siro, all so 12 matches in eight weeks is something we are just not accustomed to. Hopefully, it can be good practice for what we want for the future of Como one day.”
COMO, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Como were held to a 1-1 draw in their rescheduled midweek round with Milan, but Nico Paz picked up a yellow card and is therefore suspended here.
Maxence Caqueret moves to his usual position, with Mergim Vojvoda stepping into the supporting trio behind Tasos Douvikas, abandoning the False 9 experiment used on Wednesday.
“We always talk about the two penalty areas, but how much time do you actually spend in the two boxes? Most of the play is in midfield and on the wings, so that needs to be the focus too.”