An unprecedented transformation is currently unfolding in Italian football as Como set out to disrupt the country's long-standing status quo under the guidance of coach Cesc Fabregas. In a special feature, BBC Sport visited the Italian city to examine how the football club is making waves at home and abroad, powered by an intriguing blend of sporting ambition, film stars, and Disney ties that has captured the imagination of European football.
Central to this emergence is head coach Fabregas, whose leadership is aimed squarely at breaking up the traditional Serie A establishment. Rather than merely competing in the Italian top flight, the project is structured to challenge the elite and gatecrash the UEFA Champions League. Fabregas's direction has brought Como into direct competition with the traditional heavyweights that have long dominated Italian Serie A.
The club's unconventional rise comes during a broader period of change across Italian and European football, marked by developments such as time running out for Milan's iconic San Siro stadium. Set against this changing landscape, Como's prominent links with Disney and film stars have created a unique cultural profile, setting them apart from conventional clubs while fueling their bold push up the ranks.
Going forward, Como's continued disruption promises to have major implications for both domestic football and major continental tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. With Fabregas driving the Italian city's club forward, their quest to dismantle the established order stands as one of the most compelling narratives in modern European football.