Cesc Fabregas admitted he may have got some decisions wrong as Como suffered their first ever Champions League defeat, but insisted the competition is tougher than a World Cup.
With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia that the 3-2 loss in Rotterdam was part of the learning curve on the club’s first ever European away trip. “This is constant growth, it’s our first European away game. We continue to learn,” he said.
The Lariani had thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 on their debut and led through Assane Diao’s 18th-minute strike, but Gjivai Zechiel levelled two minutes later. Anis Hadj Moussa and a Robert Sánchez own goal put Feyenoord in control before Tasos Douvikas pulled one back in stoppage time.
“We have to manage three competitions and maybe I got some choices wrong,” Fabregas admitted. “The problem was conceding the 1-1 straight away. In the last 30 minutes we dominated, but they deserved to win.”
Fabregas gives Diao injury update
Diao was forced off after 23 minutes with a muscular problem, possibly picked up while scoring, adding to an absentee list that already included Moise Kean.
“Diao felt he couldn’t run anymore, we have to assess how he is. We hope we caught it in time,” the coach explained. “He’s an important player, you could see that today in the way we played and in the goal. The Champions League is a gift from our last season.”
Asked whether venue explained the contrasting results against two similarly matched sides in Leipzig and Feyenoord, the Spaniard said: “Playing at home and playing away are two different worlds. Feyenoord are used to winning. We put them in difficulty at times, but overall they were stronger.”
Fabregas was also asked why players such as Martin Baturina, who find it easier to escape the press in Serie A, had struggled.
“The Champions League is the strongest competition. There’s a higher level here than at a World Cup,” he insisted. “Yesterday Bayern suffered with their first-choice players, Barcelona too… it’s very hard to go away in the Champions League, but I’m calm.”
“It’s a gift for this club and I’ll keep saying it. We’ll get there step by step, we have a path to follow. We need to keep cool heads and be consistent.”