Under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, Como appears poised for a historic Champions League qualification, yet this exciting prospect comes with significant hurdles, including potential stadium problems and UEFA Financial Fair Play sanctions.
Just two seasons ago, the Lariani were competing in Serie B. Now, they are remarkably fourth in the league standings, surpassing established giants like Roma and Juventus in the race for a Champions League spot.
This would mark an astonishing feat for the underdog club, whose last foray into European competition was the Mitropa Cup in the 1980-81 season, a tournament that then included Serie B champions.
Infrastructural and Financial Gaps for Como’s European Ambition
Should Como secure a place in the Champions League, it would immediately bring to light several significant challenges, notably concerning their home ground, Stadio Sinigaglia.
Extensive reconstruction would be necessary to upgrade the stadium to meet UEFA competition standards. Failure to complete these renovations by September 2026 would force Como to host their home matches at an alternative venue.
This scenario is not unprecedented in Italian football. Reports indicate that Como has already approached Sassuolo regarding the possibility of utilizing the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.
Sassuolo previously extended similar assistance to Atalanta when they first qualified for the Champions League.
Further compounding Como’s potential challenges are their financial affairs. The club was acquired by the affluent Indonesian Hartono family after going bankrupt in Serie D.
While their substantial investments have been instrumental in the team’s rapid ascent, they also led to a significant financial loss of €105 million by the close of the financial year in June 2025.
UEFA regulations suggest that the Serie A club might receive a provisional grace period for their inaugural season in European competition. However, beyond this initial phase, they would likely be mandated to enter a Settlement Agreement to rectify their financial balance.
This situation echoes the financial scrutiny faced by Aston Villa upon their return to European football in 2023.
