Fabregas: ‘Como season might be over for Nico Paz’

Como coach Cesc Fabregas announced the season may well be over for Nico Paz and Alex Valle as they battle for Champions League football. ‘I can’t say if he’ll play the last game.’

The encounter with Parma kicks off on Sunday at 11.00 UK time (12.00 CEST).

The trip to the Stadio Tardini had to be scheduled at the same time as the Roma, Napoli, Juventus and Milan matches to ensure fairness, as they are all crammed together in the fight for a top four finish.

However, today’s press conference started with a surprising announcement from the coach.

“Nico Paz is injured, he will not be there tomorrow with Parma,” said Fabregas.

“He had a knock to the knee. If it had been played on Monday, we might be in a different situation, but in all honesty I can’t say if he’ll play the last game either. I hope so, but I couldn’t tell you for sure.

“Alex Valle’s season is over, because he hurt his flexor. Jayden Addai obviously isn’t there.”

Jesus Rodriguez reportedly reacted angrily to being substituted in the win over Verona last week and removed the Como pictures from his Instagram page.

“I did that to shake up the team against Verona. I would be surprised if he did that on Instagram, because that is not his usual attitude at all. In any case, that’s not important.”

Now that Como are in a position where they can challenge for the top four, will their attitude change?

“Obviously, there is hunger for an incredible opportunity. If you don’t win tomorrow, that opportunity is gone,” noted Fabregas.

“It is the match of the season, I would hope everyone was fired up for this occasion. We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I hope the lads can play with freedom. I also realise it’s the first time many of them have been in this situation.”

If Como do win the next two matches, will Fabregas give them a special reward?

“Oh they can ask me anything they want, even days off! But first they have to give me everything, in training and in the matches.”

While any European competition would be remarkable for a club like Como, the Europa League and Conference League bring their own challenges.

“Gian Piero Gasperini told me it’s much more difficult to deal with the Europa or Conference League, because there is less rest. I experienced it myself at Chelsea, it’s worse for hotels, airports too.

“We’ll see, but next season we’ll be judged in a different way in any case.”