Sacchi: Fabregas studied at ‘best football universities’ Arsenal and Barcelona

Arrigo Sacchi feels Como will cause trouble for Napoli today, as Cesc Fabregas studied at Barcelona and Arsenal, the ‘best football universities in Europe.’

Sacchi previewed today’s Serie A match between Como and Napoli in his latest interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

The ex-Italy coach is particularly excited by Como’s playing style and expects to see an open game at the Stadio Maradona today.

“I don’t know Fabregas personally, but I see the way Como play,” he said.

“He comes from two important schools, and he studied at the best football universities in Europe: Arsenal and Barcelona. He has absorbed a real taste for the game. When your teachers are Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, it’s hard to go wrong. Just look at how Como players move on the pitch. They always know what to do, which spaces to occupy and how to get out of tricky situations. Would you say, watching Como play, that it’s a small provincial team? No. And whose merit is that, if not the coach’s?”

Sacchi expects an aggressive Como against Napoli, but the defending Serie A champions will see Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund return to the starting line-up.

“Fabregas will order a very aggressive pressing game, because he’ll try not to let the opponent build up play,” said Sacchi.

“Como play with a high defensive line, and they’ll need to be careful because Napoli have players who are great at attacking the spaces. I’m thinking of McTominay, a midfielder of rare effectiveness, and the speed of Hojlund. I expect an open match.

“If you think Como will go there to park the bus, like many teams in our league would, you’re mistaken,” Sacchi concluded.

“Fabregas has quality midfielders, he has a pure talent like Nico Paz, he loves to exchange quick passes, weave the play and then look for the through ball. Napoli must be careful not to leave themselves exposed.”

Como are just two points below a Champions League placement, having earned 16 points in the opening nine games of the season.

Napoli, on the other hand, are the joint-table leaders alongside Roma.

The Partenopei have earned 21 points, five more than Como, in nine games, but lost two of their last five league games, while Como are unbeaten in the same period with three draws and two wins.