Between world class & World Cup frustration: this club shames a nation
Between world class & World Cup frustration: this club shames a nation The contrast could hardly be greater. Just a few days ago, the Italian national team missed out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive time after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is undoubtedly a historic low point that ruthlessly exposes the country’s structural problems.
These include poor youth development, little to no trust in young players, and a league that struggles to shake off its reputation as a "retirement league. " And then there is Como. On the beautiful shores of Lake Como, a highly intriguing football project has emerged under coach Cesc Fabregas.
With a bold and attacking style ("I love to attack and I love to have the ball"), the Spaniard has turned what was once a second- or even third-division club into a Champions League contender. They are currently fourth and hold a three-point lead over former serial champions Juventus. Success is also a result of money The less romantic truth is this: this rapid rise has been made possible primarily by massive investment.
Since the Indonesian Hartono brothers came on board, Como have been in an excellent financial position, with around €127 million spent on new players in this season alone. Names like Álvaro Morata and top talent Nico Paz are symbolic of that quality. But this is exactly where the real problem begins – at least from an Italian perspective.
Because while Como are thrilling on the pitch, the influence of domestic players is practically non-existent. Only two Italians are even in the squad, and their combined playing time amounts to a mere 14 minutes. Instead, Fabregas relies on an international mix, including a notably high number of older players.