Decoding Cesc Fàbregas’ Mindset: Why Every Team Facing Como Ends Up Comatose - Thairath English

Breaking down the mindset of Cesc Fàbregas, the fiery Spanish coach, and what causes every team facing Como to fall 'comatose' at this time.

Como, a strong team from Italy's Serie A, achieved a historic victory under Spanish coach Cesc Fàbregas by crushing Lens, a Ligue 1 club from France, with a 9-1 away win in the UEFA Champions League, creating a new chapter in the competition's history.

They set the record for the most away goals scored in a single match in the competition's history with nine goals, matching the highest total goals in one game, equaling Borussia Dortmund's 8-4 win over Legia Warsaw in 2016. Overall, Como has won six consecutive matches across all competitions. What makes this Como squad so formidable right now? Here is a breakdown of the five main principles behind Cesc Fàbregas’s mindset.

1. Ruthless attacking: Cesc Fàbregas instills a philosophy of relentless offensive football without pause or easing up, even when leading by two or three goals. He instructs his players to continue pressing and finishing chances. Scoring nine goals in a UEFA Champions League away match reflects an attitude of refusing to 'take the foot off the gas' (except in the 4-1 win over Manchester United) and focusing on punishing opponents’ mistakes decisively throughout the full 90 minutes.

2. Flexible attacking structure: Drawing on his experience as a world-class midfielder, Fàbregas emphasizes player flexibility in positioning. The rotation between forwards and playmakers disrupts Lens’s defensive organization, making it extremely difficult to predict and counter their moves. This was evident as striker Anastasios Douvikas was unleashed to score a hat-trick in that match.

3. Player psychology and courage: Despite being newcomers to the UEFA Champions League, Fàbregas has helped the team shed fear and build confidence to face Europe’s top clubs. Victories over strong teams like RB Leipzig, Manchester United, and Lens, earning nine points from the first four matches and sitting fourth in the group stage, demonstrate the belief he has instilled in the dressing room.

4. Tailored game plans: Cesc Fàbregas and his staff conduct thorough and detailed analysis to exploit Lens’s weaknesses, using speed and precise passing into open spaces behind fullbacks, as well as quick and accurate transitions from defense to attack—hallmarks of his coaching since he began his managerial career.

5. High standards and a culture of development: Fàbregas is never satisfied with just one match. Every game is a test. His management focuses on tactical details and daily individual player development. Many international media praise Como’s success this season as elevating Cesc Fàbregas into the list of the most sought-after young coaches by Europe’s top clubs. Perhaps, in the near future, the once-rising Como will become too small a stage for him. Who knows?