From Serie D to Europe: Fabregas' team completes football's ultimate fairytale

Just a few weeks ago, it looked like Como 1907 had fallen out of the race completely. Now, Cesc Fabregas and his remarkable side are not only dreaming of the Champions League - they have already secured European football for the first time in the club's history!

With a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Hellas Verona on Sunday, Como mathematically guaranteed at least sixth place in Serie A, securing a minimum of Conference League qualification and completing one of the most extraordinary rises in modern Italian football.

The achievement becomes even more remarkable considering Como were playing in Serie D as recently as 2019. The club spent two years in Serie C, three more in Serie B, and now stands on the verge of Europe under Fabregas' leadership.

It was far from their most convincing attacking display of the season, but Como found a way through thanks to the determination of Anastasios Douvikas. The Greek striker scored the decisive goal in the 71st minute after battling for possession on the edge of the area before firing past the goalkeeper to seal a priceless victory at the Bentegodi.

Douvikas' 13th league goal of the season not only delivered three massive points but also moved him level with Marcus Thuram among the league's top scorers.

Como also owed a huge debt to goalkeeper Jean Butez, who kept the visitors alive with several key saves during a difficult first half before Fabregas' side improved after the break through chances created by Assane Diao and Lucas Da Cunha.

And while European football is now guaranteed, the dream may not stop there.

With Juventus climbing to third after beating Lecce, and pressure mounting on both Milan and Roma in the race for the top four, Como remain within touching distance of an astonishing Champions League qualification push. With matches against Parma and Cremonese still to come, Fabregas' fairytale season may yet have another twist left.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 36

Friday

Torino - Sassuolo 2-1 (0-0)

/Simeone 66, Pedersen 70 - Thorstvedt 51/

Saturday

Cagliari - Udinese 0-2 (0-0)

/Buksa 56, Gueye 90+6/

Lazio - Inter 0-3 (0-2)

/Lautaro 6, Sucic 39, Mkhitaryan 76/

Lecce - Juventus 0-1 (0-1)

/Vlahovic 1/

Sunday

Verona - Como 0-1 (0-0)

/Douvikas 71/

Cremonese - Pisa 3-0 (1-0)

/Vardy 31, Bonazzoli 51, Okereke 86/

Fiorentina - Genoa 0-0

19.00: (7.00) Parma (3.90) Roma (1.60)

21.45: (2.15) Milan (3.50) Atalanta (3.60)

Monday

21.45: (1.55) Napoli (4.00) Bologna (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***