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GENOA, ITALY – APRIL 26: Cesc Fabregas, head coach of Como, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Como 1907 at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Cesc Fabregas reveals he might call up Italian midfielder Riccardo Cassano, 16, for Como’s away game at Hellas Verona on Sunday: ‘I can’t say he’s ready, but he understands the type of football we want to play here.’
Como U17 midfielder Cassano may be part of the senior squad travelling to Verona for a Serie A match on Sunday.
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Fabregas: Cassano ‘understands the type of football’ Como play
Como have been impressive in Serie A this season and are still fighting for a Champions League spot. However, the Azzurri have also faced criticism for having used an Italian player for just one minute in league matches this term.
Nevertheless, Como have some promising Italian players in their youth squad, and one of them could travel with the first team over the weekend.
“I’m really happy. When we use all these players, it seems we create value. I mostly watch U17 and Primavera teams. If possible, Cassano of U17 will come with us,” Fabregas said at a press conference on Friday viaTMW.
“He already trained with us last week, and I really liked it. He gave me great satisfaction. He is a playmaker. Yesterday, he played with us while [Maxi] Perrone broke his nose. The U17 have qualified for the play-off, but if I can take him with us, I’ll do it. I can’t say he’s ready, but he understands the type of football we want to play here. So many young players train with us during the week, but when we see a player who stands out, we are open. He is even from Como.”
Cassano, 16, is a central midfielder who has provided four assists in 25 games across all competitions with the Como U17 team this term.
Verona are already relegated, but held Como’s rivals Juventus to a 1-1 away draw last week.
“There is dignity. Nobody wants to lose games. You might be sad and disappointed because you got relegated, but nobody gives anything away,” Fabregas noted.
“They launched counterattacks while playing with a low block against Juventus, then defended for the rest of the game. We must be prepared for a similar match. Today, the most difficult thing is to score against a low block. We must have the desire to score, be proactive, and not go onto the field thinking it will be easy.
“I don’t really like to play at 12:30. We eat three hours earlier,” Fabregas concluded.
“When we play at 15:00 [CET], we have an activation session in the morning: players do stretching and mobility work, then two-against-two, and then they eat and rest. When the match is in the evening, they rest.”
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
