Como Prepare for Historic Night Against Manchester United

Italian club Como are preparing for one of the biggest nights in their history as they welcome English giants Manchester United.

Despite United’s recent struggles, the club’s global reputation has made the meeting a special occasion for Como, who have enjoyed a remarkable rise through Italian football.

Como were playing in Serie D, Italy’s fourth division, when Manchester United won the UEFA Champions League in 2008. At the time, the club had only a small following, with match attendances often numbering in the hundreds.

The club’s fortunes began to change in 2019 when Indonesian billionaire brothers Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono took over. Their original plan involved a television project featuring young Indonesian footballers, but Como’s promotion to professional football changed their plans.

Since then, the club have continued to grow, reaching Serie A before securing a fourth-place finish in the 2025/2026 season under head coach Cesc Fabregas.

Their progress has taken them from Serie B to the UEFA Champions League within five seasons of Fabregas arriving at the club as a player.

Fabregas, a former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder, said facing Manchester United was a historic moment for the club, the city and its supporters.

He also stressed the importance of remembering the club’s past while focusing on future challenges.

Como’s rise has attracted several well-known names to the club. Former France internationals Thierry Henry and Raphael Varane are among its investors, while the club’s growing popularity has led to the opening of a new club shop selling branded merchandise.

Located beside the famous Lake Como, the club also offer visitors lake tours and hospitality packages, making their matchday experience different from that of many other European clubs.

However, the club still face challenges, including meeting UEFA’s financial rules and improving facilities at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, which has a capacity of 12,300, with much of the seating uncovered.

For long-time supporters, the club’s progress is difficult to believe. Some who followed Como during their days in the lower divisions say they never imagined the team would one day face one of the world’s biggest football clubs.

Manchester United arrive in Italy after six games without a win, their worst run since the 2018/2019 season.

Despite their recent difficulties, their visit represents a major occasion for Como, whose journey from the lower divisions to European football’s biggest stage has become one of the remarkable stories in the game.