Serie A Returns to Como but Cesc Fabregas’ Wait for a First Win Continues

Como had waited 21 years and 113 days for this. 

And it was so nearly the perfect homecoming, until Samuel Iling-Junior cut inside on his left foot and bent a spectacular effort past Emil Audero to earn Bologna a draw that never looked likely with the visitors trailing by two goals with 20 minutes left.

But the day was all about Como and for so long it was nearly Como’s day. 

The Giuseppe Sinigaglia last welcomed Serie A football on May 24, 2003 when the already relegated Comaschi beat Torino 1-0.

Following the Lariani’s promotion to Serie A last season, much intrigue surrounded top flight football’s return to the shores of Lake Como.

But delays in bringing the Sinigaglia up to speed with Serie A requirements meant Cesc Fabregas’ men spent the first three weeks of the season on the road.

Defeats to Juventus and Udinese and a draw against Cagliari left Como bottom of the table heading into the international break with just one point to their name and only exacerbated the need for home comforts.

“Saturday is going to be a cauldron of excitement, and I’m confident our fans will be right behind us, just like they were last year,” Fabregas said this week. 

“We’re hoping to give them plenty to cheer about.” 

Como’s Serie A return

And the Sinigaglia, decked in blue and white – as the entire city seemed to be long before kick-off – did indeed have plenty to cheer about just four minutes into the game.

During the international break Patrick Cutrone spoke of his desire to atone for the missed penalty in injury time that cost Como a point against Udinese. 

Now he cut in from the left, his cross-cum-shot taking just enough of a deflection off Nicolo Casale to beat Lukasz Skorupski. 

Redemption for Cutrone and bedlam at the Sinigaglia, a ground whose fierce atmosphere belies its idyllic setting on the shores of Italy’s most famous lake.

The roar that greeted the Lariani’s second goal ten minutes into the second half was even louder. 

Cutrone, Como born and bred, was again at the centre of it all. 

Having slipped in behind Bologna’s defence to collect Gabriel Strefezza’s pass, he checked back inside on his right foot and curled a superb effort in the bottom corner past Skorupski.

A lengthy VAR check temporarily quietened the Sinigaglia, but celebrations eventually resumed, much to Fabregas’ delight.

The former Arsenal wears his heart on his sleeve and watching on the touchline is an exercise in observing a manager going through an emotional rollercoaster. 

But if Iling’s equaliser was a sucker punch for Como, Fabregas remains staunchly upbeat. 

“Tactically, I can’t ask for anything more: the team is working really hard. We just need to be more clinical in the final third; we’re missing a few too many chances,” the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference. 

“We need to keep working hard, and I need to do more to help them perform at their best. I have high standards and I know what I’m asking isn’t easy, but the players are picking things up quickly. 

“At the same time, I know that building a team takes time.”

During the week, Vincenzo Italiano had sung from the same hymn sheet, conceding his side also needed to be more clinical in the final third. 

In that respect, the trip to Como felt a step back as the visitors created next to nothing until Tommaso Pobega rattled the post with a piledriver from 25 yards out with 20 minutes left.

But Santiago Castro pulled one back shortly afterward, before Iling-Junior came to the rescue.

More worryingly for Italiano, his side looked far too open at the back against a team that had scored just once in their first three Serie A outings. Three points in four matches is hardly a positive return for a side that finished fifth last season, but the draw against Como was a case of one point gained rather than two points lost.

Patrick Cutrone is enjoying football again

Cutrone could have had a hat-trick in the first half alone. With half-an-hour gone, he was only inches away from connecting with Alieu Fadera’s cross before then wasting a glorious chance when through on goal.

Seven minutes later, the former AC Milan striker was in again, chipping Skorupski only to see his effort end just wide of the far post.

Cutrone’s decision to move back to Como has been fully vindicated. 

After struggling at Wolves, Fiorentina and Empoli, Cutrone looks to be enjoying his football again. 

“Scoring in front of my people for the team of my hometown was special,” he said.

“From the moment I chose to sign for Como, it felt like I had something to prove. 

“I thought I had to hit the reset button. If you’re struggling from a mental standpoint, you can’t perform on the pitch. 

“When I chose Como I decided to put myself and my city first. I needed to be happy and to feel that the club and my teammates believed in me.” 

Just like Cutrone, Fadera was a constant thorn in Bologna’s side. 

One of Como’s nine summer signings on the pitch on Saturday, the Gambia international repeatedly had the better of Stefan Posch’s down the left wing.

As Fabregas pointed out, blending in the new arrivals will take time.

“Today we had nine new signings on the pitch, but I’m completely sure the path we’re on is the right one,” he said.

“If we keep playing the way we’ve been playing, wins are going to come sooner rather than later. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

His optimism remained palpable at the Sinigaglia even after the final whistle, as the PA system blared out Rino Gaetano’s Ma Il Cielo E’ Sempre Piu’ Blu – “But The Sky Is Always Brighter”

If Como can start turning draws into wins, the sky will be even brighter.  For now, Como’s wait for Serie A football is over, but their wait for a first win this season goes on.