‘I thanked them’ – Fabregas reveals message to Como players before penalty win over Napoli

Cesc Fabregas has revealed the message he delivered to his Como players before their dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Napoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

Como reached the semi-finals after a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was settled on spot-kicks.

Martin Baturina had given the visitors the lead before half-time, with Antonio Vergara equalising shortly after the restart. Misses from Romelu Lukaku and Stanislav Lobotka proved costly for Napoli in the shoot-out, while Como held their nerve to seal progression.

“It is an historic achievement, a positive time, but we have another very important game coming up on Saturday. We must leave the euphoria to the end of the season,” Fabregas told Sport Mediaset.

Managing youth and momentum

Fabregas admitted he had to make a quick decision after Jacobo Ramon narrowly avoided a second yellow card early in the second half.

“Obviously, he would get sent off at the next foul, he is a 20-year-old who is lacking experience, this is his first full season as a professional,” Fabregas explained. “I had to take him off, because going down to 10 men in a situation like this would make everything far more difficult.”

The former Spain international also acknowledged his side faded after the break. “I thought the first half was good, but in the second less so… it means we need to improve a few things,” he said.

‘I’d been in their situation’

Ahead of the shoot-out, Fabregas drew on his own experience at the highest level.

“I thanked them for giving me this experience as a coach… it was fundamental they had belief, but also needed to enjoy this moment,” he said. “I told them, I’d been in Napoli’s situation of being the ‘big’ team expected to win and that it adds a bit of fear.”

He stressed being humble despite the achievement, noting Como’s youthful squad and recent run of three consecutive wins.

The Lombardy club will now face Inter over two legs in the semi-final, equalling their best-ever run in the competition.