Fabregas wants the more ‘cynical’ Como to foul a lot more after the frustrating 1-1 draw

epa11749445 Cesc Fabregas, head coach of Como 1907, looks on before the Italian Serie A soccer match Como 1907 vs AC Monza at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in Como, Italy, November 30, 2024. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

Cesc Fabregas wants his Como side to become more “cynical” after their 1-1 draw with Monza and urges them to “learn to commit more fouls and stop counterattacks”.

The Lariani had taken the lead at the Stadio Sinigaglia through a header from Yannik Engelhardt, but this was canceled out by Gianluca Caprari’s penalty and the score was 1-1.

“We didn’t have many options on the bench today as we’re struggling a bit with injuries at the moment,” Fabregas told DAZN.

“We did very well in the first half, but in the second we just didn’t understand the mood of the game. We should have been the ones pushing them up, not the other way around. Then the penalty, the fifth we had missed this season, changed the game and gave Monza confidence.

“This is not our moment and it is not easy to play under so much pressure. I am very demanding and I want us to continue playing football with our identity.

“We have to make better decisions in the final third and believe me, we are working so hard on it, but in the end it is a question of quality. If we have five chances to score and convert one, we have to do better.”

Fabregas teaches Como the tricks of his trade

COMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Yannik Engelhardt of Como 1907 scores the opening goal during the Serie A match between Como and Monza at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on November 30, 2024 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)

Como have particular problems in defense and former Arsenal and Barcelona star Fabregas feels they are missing some valuable tricks of the trade.

“Another thing we need to improve is when we allow counter-attacks. We are an aggressive team that wants to move forward, but our opponents are just waiting for us to make a mistake so they can strike.

“We have to learn to commit more fouls and stop the counterattacks from the start. Ultimately Iovine understood this and picked up a yellow card for the team during breaks in the game, but in general we are still too nice and that could be because we are a young team. In such situations we have to be more cynical. If the first pressure fails, you have to foul them.”