Fabregas Guides Como to First-Ever UCL as Milan and Pulisic Miss Out.

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Cesc Fabregas has done it again.

Two years after taking Como back to Serie A, he’s taken them to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s 117-year history.

On May 24, 2026, Como smashed Cremonese 4-1 on the final day to lock up 4th place in Serie A. That result, combined with AC Milan’s failure to win, means Fabregas’ side are heading to the UCL next season. And Milan, with Christian Pulisic, are out.

From Serie D to the Champions League in 6 years

This is wild even by modern football standards.

Como were in Serie D as recently as 2019. They got promoted to Serie A in 2024, finished 10th last season, and now they’re in Europe’s top competition. Fabregas took over as head coach in July 2024 and immediately changed the identity of the club.

“We’re not Inter, Milan, Juventus or Napoli,” Fabregas said after sealing European qualification. “We’re a humble team, and we want to enjoy this moment.” 

Humble or not, they’ve played like giants. Under Fabregas, Como embraced a possession-based, modern style. The squad value has jumped from €60m to €352m in two years, and the recruitment has been smart: Nico Paz, Maxence Caqueret, and a heavy Spanish core that reflects Fabregas’ philosophy. 

Como went to Cremona needing a win and got it in style. Tasos Douvikas opened the scoring, and Como ran riot in the second half to finish 4th on 72 points.

Milan needed to win and hope Como dropped points. They didn’t. The Rossoneri finished 5th, meaning no Champions League and no Christian Pulisic in the UCL next season.

For Milan, it’s a disaster. For Como, it’s history.

“I’m very happy and proud today,” Fabregas told DAZN. “Two years ago today, we were promoted to Serie A, and today, we’re qualifying for Europe. The team, the club, the fans have all grown. It’s inexplicable.” 

He’s not stopping here. Como are guaranteed Conference League at minimum, but Fabregas wants more. “We have two games left to go, and we will see if we can fly even higher,” he said.

Italian football has been struggling in Europe this season. Napoli, Juventus, and Inter all went out early in the UCL. Now Como get a shot to represent Serie A on the biggest stage. 

There are questions about FFP - Como say they’re €75m below the UEFA cap - but the club president insists revenues are growing and they’re built for the long term. 

More than that, this is a story about coaching. Fabregas was dismissed as a “player-coach” project when he took the job. Now he’s being talked about as one of the brightest young managers in Europe. 

Milan’s loss is Como’s gain

For Milan and Pulisic, missing the UCL is a huge blow financially and reputationally. For Como, it’s validation. From the banks of Lake Como to the Champions League anthem - it’s the kind of rise you don’t see anymore.

Fabregas summed it up best: “Many fans today have sent me messages talking about when we were in Serie D. We’re not AC Milan, Inter, Juventus or Napoli, we’re a humble team, and we want to enjoy this moment”. 

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