There are football clubs with illustrious histories, and then there are clubs that make history by their sheer grit. Como 1907 belongs firmly in the latter category. The other historical event that comes to one’s mind, from recent times, is Leicester City winning the English Premier League title in 2015-16 that had pre-season odds of 5000-1 to achieve that feat, which was equivalent to a far-fetched event like aliens arriving! But it did happen, and we saw history being made.
Till a few years ago, Como was a postcard-pretty lake town with a football club attached as an afterthought. Now that club has put nine goals past Lens in the UEFA Champions League, the first away team to do so since the competition took its current name in 1992. Nine. Eye’s wide open, pinch this isn’t a sweet dream but reality.
Founded on 25 May 1907, Como spent much of its existence oscillating between Italian football's various divisions with promotions, relegation and occasional moments of glory. By the turn 21st century, it reached nadir, facing financial collapse in 2004. The 2016 redux pushed the club into further wilderness and saw itself languishing in Serie D – Italy’s fourth tier – circa 2018-19.
The turning point arrived in 2019, when Indonesia’s Djarum Group, controlled by the billionaire Hartono family, took charge. What followed was not merely an injection of money but a carefully conceived long-term project.
Clear Objectives
A World Cup winner, European champion and former midfield maestro for Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea, Fàbregas initially arrived in Como as a player in 2022 and later a minority shareholder before moving into coaching. Taking charge of the first team in 2024, he led Como’s promotion to Serie A and introduced a clearly defined philosophy.
The first full season in the highest echelon, Como grabbed a tenth-place finish that definitely belied its relatively modest pedigree. The following season 2025-26 was absolutely spectacular and the stuff dreams are made of. A 4-1 win at Cremonese on the final day put Como in the elite UEFA Champions League for the first time, ahead of Milan and Juventus ending with a Top Four finish.
Cesc introduced a sense of pride into the team that once had extreme self-doubt. It has moved ahead of the inglorious past and now plays with conviction, scores freely and refuses to be ignored. For a club fighting for survival less than a decade ago, this transformation is staggering.
And this fairy tale is showing no signs of slowing down this season (2026-27). After ten matches, Como is fourth with 23 points, winning seven, drawing two and losing just once; mere five points behind leader Lazio. (Serie A standings after 10 matches, as of November 6).
Europe is watching too. Como started their Champions League campaign with a bang! A 4-1 win over RB Leipzig. Identical score thrashing miserable Manchester United. Then came Lens and slaughtered them 9-1.
They have scored nineteen goals in their first four games – a record for any team in league phase – thereby pocketing nine points. This has put Como at level with FC Barcelona and Manchester City, rubbing shoulders with the giants as equals.
A superlative performance like this has made Fàbregas cynosure of all eyes. At 39, he has built a team that reflects the intelligence and tactical sophistication of the player he once was, while displaying the conviction of a coach with a huge repertoire of experience.
Not to forget, the financial support and scouting philosophy also deserve their share of credit behind Como’s success. Footballing miracles rarely happen without sound institutional foundations, and money alone cannot manufacture identity or inculcate passion to excel.
Como’s story is therefore about rebuilding a football institution with purpose. From Serie D to the Champions League in a handful of years, Como has rewritten its history and made the world watch their journey with awe.
(The writer is a senior business executive and an avid football aficionado. Views personal.)
