Fabregas: ‘Como young players must enjoy the experience with Napoli’

Cesc Fabregas explains why he is asking his young Como players to ‘enjoy the experience’ against reigning champions of Italy Napoli this evening.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Udinese-Atalanta and Cremonese-Juventus on the Liveblog.

Como have lost only one Serie A game this season, 1-0 away to Bologna on August 30, along with four wins and as many draws.

They beat Juventus and Verona, interrupted by a 0-0 at Parma.

“I want to see courage, keep your heads up and your minds clear, enjoy the experience,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“We need belief in what we are doing, and today around 50 per cent of the team is under 21. We cannot put lots of pressure on their heads that we absolutely must win, that’s not going to help them.

“We want to win every game, but by playing our own way, so we need determination and belief. Only if we play with character can we get something against the reigning Champions.”

The absence of Sergi Roberto and resting Lucas Da Cunha means the captain’s armband for Como goes to Alvaro Morata for the first time.

“The most important thing is what I see day by day in training. Morata has won so much, scored so much, his experience and current performances are important for us,” explained Fabregas.

With Kevin De Bruyne out injured for three to four months, Antonio Conte is moving Napoli back to a 4-3-3 formation, so Fabregas expects a duel on the flanks at the Stadio Maradona this evening.

“This game will be played largely on the wings, as Napoli are very aggressive in those areas and feel it is their greatest strength. They want to press us high up the field, so we want to isolate Addai and Diao to attack them one-on-one.

“We’ll try to play our game, then we’ll see what happens.”