Fabregas sends Messi message to tearful Paz
Cesc Fabregas aimed to reassure Nico Paz after the youngster's penalty miss proved costly in Como's 0-0 draw with Atalanta.
Paz saw a 98th-minute spot-kick saved by Marco Carnesecchi, as Atalanta – who played nearly the whole match with 10 men – clung on for a point.
Honest Ahanor's red card was the fastest received by an Atalanta player in a Serie A match since 2015, yet despite registering 28 shots, Como could not make its numerical advantage count.
Fabregas, though, reassured the emotional Paz, saying that even the best players, such as the great Lionel Messi, miss spot-kicks.
"I want to send a message of positivity to our young players," he said. "I don't want to kill a young player over a penalty. I am not like that. I missed penalties, so did Leo Messi, so did John Terry.
"We are all with Nico, we are with the young players who have the courage to make a difference. A great champion must always lift his head back up when he hasn't done well."
"The ball didn't want to go in. It happens, this is football, but I also want to congratulate Atalanta, who wouldn't give in, and played their game.
"Let's say we were unlucky, but when their goalkeeper makes nine saves, it's not like me or my assistant can come off the touchline and put the ball in the net. We created nine clear-cut scoring opportunities, so let's lift our heads and keep going."
Como is sixth in Serie A, a place and five points above Atalanta.
