Como patron Suwarso on Champions League ambition, Fabregas and Messi dream

Como patron Mirwan Suwarso feels the club is on a ‘natural process’ towards the Champions League with Cesc Fabregas and admits Lionel Messi would be ‘a dream’ signing.

The team went bankrupt in 2017 and had to start from scratch in Serie D, then was taken over by SENT Entertainment and Djarum in April 2019.

They invested heavily and helped Como move all the way up to the top flight after a 21-year absence, securing mid-table comfort in their debut campaign.

The ambition doesn’t stop here, as the Lariani are targeting even more prestigious objectives, like qualifying for the Champions League.

Como aiming for top four in Serie A

“It is not an obsession, we want it to be a natural process,” Como chief Suwarso told La Stampa newspaper via Tuttomercatoweb.

“Atalanta and Bologna set the example, and in the long run we will reduce our investment, making sure it is a sustainable project.

“In Italy you have three different leagues in one: the six best teams, those in mid-table and the others at the bottom.”

Among the signs of Como’s strength was the ability to resist pressure from Inter and Bundesliga clubs to keep hold of coach Fabregas.

“My rapport with Cesc is excellent, we believed straight away in his vision and status as a great coach. We asked him to improve us not only on the field, but also in terms of mentality. He helped define our identity.

“There were no meetings in June, just a lot of rumours that we laughed off. He spoke to other clubs, but it was just a routine conversation.”

Como have made it a habit of inviting big stars into the stands to watch their games, and the most recent figures spotted at the Stadio Sinigaglia were Messi’s family.

This and the long-standing friendship between Fabregas and his former Barcelona teammate pointed towards a possible shock Serie A move for the Argentine legend, who is in MLS with Inter Miami FC.

“The Messi family were guests of Fabregas and his wife. It would be a dream for him to come here, but why would he leave behind all the money he is earning now? Besides, we have not had any contact with him,” concluded Suwarso.