Como qualify for Champions League with 11th wage bill in Serie A

Como were one of Serie A’s five biggest spenders in 2025–26, but reached the Champions League for the first time in club history with just the league’s 11th-highest wage bill.

Cesc Fabregas’ Como qualified for the Champions League on Sunday, thanks to a 4-1 win away at Cremonese and Milan’s 2-1 loss to Cagliari at San Siro.

Owned by the Hartono family, the wealthiest in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, Como were among the highest spenders in Serie A this season, having invested almost €127m in new signings, only less than Juventus, Napoli, Atalanta, and Milan.

However, as highlighted by Sky Sport Italia, the Azzurri secured a historical achievement despite having only the 11th wage bill in Serie A: €47m for the 2025-26 season, an average of €1.5m per player.

Among the clubs that have spent more on salaries this season are Lazio, Torino, Fiorentina, Atalanta and Bologna, as well as Italian giants Milan, Juventus, Inter, Napoli and Roma.

Juventus and Milan have both failed to qualify for the Champions League, marking the first time in 35 years that both clubs will miss out on Europe’s elite competition in the same season.