Como President Mirwan Suwarso has revealed the club’s ambitions to recruit more Italian talent and is preparing to undertake renovations at the Stadio Sinigaglia to ensure it meets the necessary standards for European competition. This comes as Como achieves a historic first by qualifying for European football and still has a chance to secure a Champions League berth, currently sitting just two points behind Roma and Milan in fourth place.
The team’s home stadium, Stadio Sinigaglia, does not yet comply with UEFA’s regulations for hosting European matches. However, Como plans to complete the necessary stadium upgrades by the end of the summer, with work set to commence immediately after their upcoming match against Parma.
While Como requires just one point from their remaining two fixtures to guarantee Europa League qualification, they are also in contention for a Champions League spot. President Suwarso emphasized the team’s goal to finish as high as possible but stressed that their primary objective is continuous improvement rather than solely focusing on the Champions League itself.
The qualification for European football necessitates new signings to bolster the squad for participation in three competitions next season. Suwarso indicated that while some new additions will be made, the club has a solid foundation. He noted that 23 players are returning from loans, and the focus will be on making sustainable transfer decisions.
Addressing comments about the club’s significant spending in Serie A over the past two years, Suwarso stated that financial resources are helpful but not a guarantee of success, pointing to numerous examples of clubs with substantial budgets that haven’t achieved desired results. He reiterated that the club’s focus is on profitability and sustainability within the next two to three years.
Regarding the potential retention of Nico Paz, Suwarso clarified that his future is dependent on Real Madrid.
Como also aims to increase the number of Italian players in their squad to adhere to UEFA regulations for European competitions. Suwarso acknowledged the challenge of acquiring Italian players, describing them as “expensive” and noting the inability to pay them in installments. He mentioned that the club is nurturing four to five Italian prospects with the hope they will be ready for the first team. While expressing admiration for players like Orsolini, Bastoni, Dimarco, Venturino, Cambiaghi, and Pellegrini, he admitted they are currently beyond the club’s financial reach.
Suwarso also commended the collaborative spirit within Italian football, highlighting the off-field cooperation among clubs. He described Italy as a welcoming country with inspiring examples of entrepreneurship and cited many friendships and sources of inspiration among club executives. He noted a strong sense of community and collaboration in Italian football, distinct from his experiences elsewhere.