Igor Tudor, the manager of Juventus, expressed his respect for Como 1907, a team led by Spanish player Cesc Fàbregas, labeling them as a “false small team” due to their significant investment in player acquisitions over the past year.
Tudor acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead in their upcoming match, stating, “Tomorrow will be a complicated match: Como is a false small team; they have invested a lot, and the coach has personally selected all the players, which is uncommon but very positive. I have great respect for them, although our goal is to go there and play our game.”
Juventus heads into the match at the beautiful lakeside stadium with the backdrop of Como facing a tough time, having recorded five consecutive draws in both Serie A and the Champions League. They are also grappling with defensive issues due to Brazilian player Gleison Bremer’s injury and are looking ahead to their Champions League clash against Real Madrid scheduled for Wednesday.
Como, owned by Indonesian brothers Hartono, who are linked to the tobacco industry and recognized by ‘Forbes’ among the world’s 100 wealthiest individuals, has been proactive in the transfer market. This past summer, they added notable talents including Spanish players Álvaro Morata, Jesús Rodríguez, and Jacobo Ramón, as well as Brazilian Diego Carlos. Remarkably, Como led Italian clubs in spending during the previous winter transfer market, with an outlay of nearly 50 million euros.
After returning to Serie A last season following a 21-year absence, Como not only secured their place in the league with four matches to spare but also finished in a commendable tenth position. Just six years ago, Como was competing in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football. The club has achieved three promotions since being acquired by the Hartono family in 2019, with a bright future ahead, partly fueled by talents like Argentinian Nico Paz, a former Real Madrid player, who may return to his old club due to a buy-back clause.
In addition to its ambitious sporting goals, Como is committed to structural growth and has already unveiled plans to remodel their stadium, with completion aimed for 2028. As both teams prepare for an exciting encounter, the match promises to be a significant test for Juventus against a rapidly rising Como side.