Fabregas tempers expectations ahead of Inter clash
Cesc Fabregas has urged his Como side to be brave as Inter Milan hosts the UEFA Champions League hopeful in their next Serie A clash.
Como has been the story of the season in Serie A as the underdog has eclipsed some of the biggest names in Italian football to be in the running for a top-four finish.
Fabregas' side is engaged in a tight battle for the final UEFA Champions League spot.
The Spaniard has urged his team to keep that perspective in mind as it hosts league leader Inter on Monday (AEST) at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
"Last season we finished on 49 points with a big gap to the top six," Fabregas said.
"With seven games left we have six more points than that and we are in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
"But we cannot forget that we are only at the beginning of a journey, not even halfway through it.
"The path is ours. We cannot forget that and start acting like we are something we are not just because we are playing Inter.
"We must score, play with courage. We know who Inter are and we know we can lose, they have players who make the difference. But we will face them with the conviction to win."
Inter, meanwhile, has amassed a healthy seven-point lead at the top of the table and remains the favourite to win the title.
Cristian Chivu's side defeated Roma 5-2 in its most recent outing to end a three-match winless streak, but will know that the title race pressure cannot be fully eased just yet.
"Seven matches to go. We'll do everything to win it [the title]. We're in great shape," Inter midfielder Piotr Zielinski said.
"After the break, between training sessions and the match against Roma, it was immediately clear that something had changed.
"Everyone came back with the right energy. And those who were coming off a disappointment with their national team put it behind them."
Inter and Como will face off again on 22 April (AEST), in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final. That tie is level at 0-0 after the first leg.
