{"id":1477356,"date":"2026-08-05T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1477356"},"modified":"2026-08-05T10:42:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T09:42:42","slug":"tactical-analysis-como-champions-league-campaign","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-como-champions-league-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Como analysis: How will Cesc Fabregas&#8217; side fair in the Champions League this season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/como\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Como<\/a> finished fourth in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/serie-a\/\">Serie<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/serie-a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/serie-a\/\">A<\/a> last season, qualifying for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/champions-league-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Champions League<\/a> for the first time in their history.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cesc Fabregas&#8217; side won 20 games last season, drawing 11 and losing just seven matches. Only champions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/internazionale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inter Milan<\/a> managed fewer defeats in Italy&#8217;s top filght.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their run included league doubles over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/juventus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Juventus<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/roma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roma<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/lazio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lazio<\/a>, as well as a pair of draws against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/atalanta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atalanta<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/napoli\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Napoli<\/a>. They also held <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/milan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AC Milan<\/a> to a draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After securing a fourth-placed finish and Champions League football by one point, Fabregas and co. will be hoping to bolster the squad ahead of next season&#8217;s challenge to sustain that success and compete in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-last-season-s-tactics\" data-level=\"2\">Last season&#8217;s tactics<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-summer-additions\" data-level=\"2\">Summer additions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-nico-paz-s-team\" data-level=\"2\">Nico Paz&#8217;s team<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-next-season\" data-level=\"2\">Next season?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-last-season-s-tactics\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Last season&#8217;s tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fabregas likes his side to build out from the back, building out from goal kicks with a variety of different shapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1477419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090021\/Pitchshot-Como-3-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Spaniard has experimented with fewer bodies in the buildup and lots of bodies higher up to pin the opposition players deeper and create more space in the build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the more common build patterns revolve around a 4-2-4 or a 2-3-2-3 shape, using positional play to manipulate the opposition defensive scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1477420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090039\/Pitchshot-Como-2-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Como establish control through building out from the back, the full-backs are more free to advance and join the attacking unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates more of a 3-2-5\/3-1-6 shape, as the full-backs advance in tandem with the wingers and the positioning of the attacking midfielder dictates how aggressive they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One midfielder will then often drop into the last line to dictate play alongside the central defenders, while the other pivot player stays in front to help manage the buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1477422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090111\/Pitchshot-Como-1-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Como only conceded 29 goals last season, boasting the best defence in Serie A and keeping 19 clean sheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fabregas comes from the Spanish school of thought when it comes to defending by possessing the ball, holding 61.6% possession on average per game, the highest in Serie A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, their 4-4-2 hybrid approach also allowed them to control the game without the ball, blocking the centre, forcing teams around the outside and setting traps to regain possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-summer-additions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summer additions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So far, Como have spent a total of around \u00a372million in the transfer market, with Mattia Liberali, Luis Milla, Andres Cuenca and Kaiki joining the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nico Paz and Alvaro Morata have also joined the club on new permanent deals, taking Como&#8217;s incomings to a total of six so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trevoh Chalobah looks to be the next in line, as the Italian outfit have agreed a fee for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/chelsea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chelsea<\/a> centre-back of around \u00a331m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Along with Chalobah, Como look like they are on the brink of adding Yan Couto from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/borussia-dortmund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Borussia Dortmund<\/a> on loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By adding the dynamic full-back pairing of Kaiki and Couto to their ranks, Fabregas&#8217; side could take that next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, a centre-back pairing of Chalobah and Jacobo Ramon (who had a superb season last campaign) could see an already strong defensive unit becoming even stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-nico-paz-s-team\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nico Paz&#8217;s team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While a lot of Como&#8217;s business so far has been done in deeper areas, the biggest move of the summer is actually retaining their star man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paz has been signed on a permanent deal, with the Italian club paying around \u00a351m to retain his services from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/real-madrid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Real Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new agreement secures full ownership of Paz for Como, but sets a new future buy-back option for Real Madrid of around \u00a368.5m.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"eAzp1NiXcTa7gcnZfnjlZ\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paz made 35 appearances for Como in Serie A last season, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fabregas has refereed to Paz as his son in previous interviews, labelling the young star &#8220;a champion&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 21-year-old is the star man in Como&#8217;s attack, joined by the likes of Martin Baturina, Assane Diao, Jayden Addai, Jesus Rodriguez, Anastasios Douvikas and Alvaro Morata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Como have plenty of young talent when it comes to their attacking unit, which could see another drastic jump in quality this upcoming season due to added experience and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-next-season\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next season?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With European football next season, Fabregas will have to contend with the added games in their schedule, managing minutes and utilising his entire squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Como often looking to sign emerging young talent, their depth is full of high potential players, who could benefit from the extra minutes and rotation in the upcoming season, given the chance to prove themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having said that, the addition of Milla in midfield along with Maxence Caqueret gives strong depth to both Maximo Perrone and Lucas Da Cunha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1477423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/05090124\/Pitchshot-Como-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The likes of Chalobah and Morata will also offer much needed experience, having both played in Europe before and understanding the demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fabregas will be hoping his young squad (second-youngest in Serie A) can step up to that next level next season, giving them the best chance of qualifying for the Champions League in back to back seasons, while also giving a good account of themselves in their debut season of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/champions-league-tips\/\"><strong>Champions League predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/champions-league-outright-odds-qualification\/\"><strong>Champions League outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Como finished fourth in Serie A last season, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Cesc Fabregas&#8217; side won 20 games last season, drawing 11 and losing just seven matches. Only champions Inter Milan managed fewer defeats in Italy&#8217;s top filght. Their run included league doubles over Juventus, Roma and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3107,"featured_media":1477358,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"como champions league","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Como are preparing for their first season in the Champions League. But how well equipped are they for a European journey?","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1477356","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Como analysis: How will Cesc Fabregas&#039; side fair in the Champions League this season | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Como are preparing for their first season in the Champions League. 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