MILAN (AP) — A few years ago, Cesc Fàbregas arrived at Como to find his players changing in a bar and receiving massages in the back room. On Sunday, those same players dumped water on the ir coach while singing the Champions League anthem in the press room.
The reason for the celebration: Como is going to the Champions League for the first time in the club's 119-year history.
A fairy tale finishes first
Roma also sealed qualification on a dramatic final day of the Serie A season, but the story belonged entirely to Como — a club that was sitting in Italy's fourth division just seven years ago.
"When I arrived four years ago as a player we changed in a bar," Fabregas said. "Today we're in the Champions League."
The Spanish midfielder-turned-manager let the emotional moment stretch longer than usual. His players wheeling a giant speaker into the press conference room to blast the Champions League anthem probably didn't help the transcript, but no one minded.
How the final day unfolded
Four teams entered the final round fighting for two remaining Champions League spots. Milan and Roma held third and fourth place, both two points clear of Como and Juventus.
Things went wrong for the favorites fast. Roma won 2-0 at already-relegated Hellas Verona. Milan lost 2-1 at home to Cagliari. That opened the door — and Como walked through it by winning 4-1 at Cremonese.
The final standings: Roma third, Como fourth, Milan fifth. Juventus drew 2-2 at Torino after leading 2-0, in a match delayed an hour by crowd trouble.
The kids are more than alright
Fabregas made sure to highlight what set this run apart: the age of his squad.
"This is a squad full of kids," he said. "The 15 players who played the most are nearly all under 23. I think that's marvelous."
It's difficult to argue with the results. Como, purchased by Indonesian tobacco billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono in 2019 when the club was in Serie D, has gone from bar to Europe's elite competition in faster time than it takes most clubs to appoint a manager.