Antonio Conte has heaped praise on his former Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas, calling him "destined for greatness" as a coach ahead of Napoli's clash with Como at the Stadio Sinigaglia. The Serie A showdown kicks off at 17:00 UK time, and Conte is expecting no shortage of drama.
"Neither of the two teams will certainly try to play for the draw, so I expect an open game," Conte told DAZN Italia, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter. The Napoli boss reflected warmly on Fabregas's rapid rise from midfield maestro to tactical mastermind, noting, "I am happy for Cesc, because he was always destined for greatness. He was fortunate during his career to play for teams like Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea, working for top coaches over the years. He is a great coach because he studies carefully."
Como, under Fabregas's guidance, have been turning heads this season. Conte acknowledged their growth, saying, "Como are improving decisively year on year, causing real problems for the big clubs in Serie A, and will certainly keep growing." It's a far cry from their October 2024 meeting, when Napoli secured a 3-1 home win, but Como exacted revenge in February's Coppa Italia quarter-final, knocking Napoli out on penalties. The stage is set for another fierce battle.
For Napoli, the Scudetto dream has faded. A loss here, combined with Milan failing to beat Sassuolo tomorrow, would hand Inter the title without even playing. But Conte's focus is on locking down second place and securing Champions League qualification. With Como just eight points behind in a tie for fifth with Roma, a win for Napoli would mathematically clinch that prized spot.
"We try to press high, create problems for our opponents, and Como are similar," Conte added, hinting at a tactical chess match. "These are the games that define a season." As both teams gear up for an open, attacking affair, fans can expect a thrilling display of Serie A football—and a reunion of two football minds who once shared a Chelsea dressing room. Follow all the action live from the Stadio Sinigaglia.