'We're not there yet' - Cesc Fabregas pleads for patience for Serie A high-flyers Como with Alvaro Morata and Sergi Roberto the only proven winners in 'young' team

Fabregas’ men were seconds away from a valuable win before Caleb Ekuban’s 92nd-minute equaliser denied them all three points in the third round of Serie A. Nico Paz had earlier lit up the match with a stunning strike from outside the box, giving Como the lead after just 13 minutes. The Blue and Whites defended bravely and created several chances, but the task grew harder when Jacob Ramon was sent off in the 88th minute. Reduced to 10 men, Como were unable to hold on, and inexperience showed in stoppage time as Genoa snatched a share of the spoils. The result leaves Como with four points from their opening three fixtures, having beaten Lazio, lost narrowly to Bologna, and now drawn against Genoa.

The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder was quick to remind supporters and critics alike that his squad remains "one of the youngest in Serie A". Many players are still in their early years as professionals, while several returned late from international duty, disrupting early preparations. 

Como are only in their second campaign back in the Italian top flight after a 21-year exile that saw them plummet as low as Serie D. Since the Indonesian Djarum Group’s takeover in 2019, the club have rebuilt impressively and finished 10th in the top-flight last season, but Fabregas insists the process will take time before they can compete with established sides like Napoli, Inter and Juventus.

Speaking to Sky after the game, the 38-year-old highlighted both the positives and the reality check of the late draw.

“We're a team that had 12 players in the national team who returned a bit late. And I remind you, lest some forget, that we're a young team. There are many players in their first or second season as professionals . It's not easy, so I'm very patient, even though I see their attitude and their quality every day. We're not there yet, like Napoli, who have players who have already won and are experienced. We only have Morata and Sergi Roberto, who have already won.”

He added: “We wonder why we don't do everything well, but we have to stay very calm because in football everything takes a long time. Last season, we did a lot of things well in the first half but didn't get any points, while in the second half we did very well.”

The Spaniard, who was previously linked in the summer with jobs at Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig and even Inter, continues to stress that Como’s project is built for long-term stability rather than short-term success.

The Lariani side currently sit ninth in Serie A, a solid start for a club still adjusting to life back in the top flight. Next up is a tricky clash against Fiorentina, where Fabregas will hope his young squad can build resilience and bounce back from consecutive dropped points.