Fabregas says Inter will prove Como's true level
Como has been the talk of European football this week after putting nine goals past Lens, but Cesc Fabregas feels Monday's (AEDT) clash with Inter Milan will say more about his side's level.
Fabregas saw his team crush Lens 9-1 in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, tying the largest margin of victory in the competition's history.
Como also routed Manchester United 4-1 in its previous European outing, while its domestic form has been good, also.
With 23 points on the board after 10 games in Serie A, it knows a victory over the Nerazzurri this weekend would see it leapfrog the Scudetto holder on the table.
But Fabregas insists Christian Chivu's side is still the benchmark in Serie A, even if it suffered a disappointing Derby della Madonnina defeat to AC Milan last weekend.
"It feels like every week you ask me about a new test of our maturity," Fabregas said.
"We knew this season would be special for us, there is so much motivation, but we know our path.
"This is an important match, we are coming off a good run, but it is only a test to see where we can go. Inter remain the strongest team in Italy – we will see our level later.
"I never stop learning from the best. The victory over Lens can happen once – if we're lucky – in our lives.
"Inter is the reigning champion of Italy, it won the Coppa Italia, it played in two [UEFA] Champions League finals. But who knows? Tomorrow, we might spring a surprise with the perfect performance."
Fabregas also highlighted Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as an inspiration for what he is attempting to build at Como, which has risen rapidly since the former midfielder took the reins in Serie B in 2023.
"Arteta sets a great example for all of us, with what he is building at Arsenal," Fabregas said.
"The patience shown by the club, even when there were moments of tension and he was eighth in the table, that is what we need, too. I see him as inspiration for what we want to do."
Inter did get back to winning ways in Europe this week, beating Feyenoord 3-0, but it will again be without talismanic captain Lautaro Martinez for the Como meeting, with the Argentinean still recovering from a hamstring injury.
