Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhen Como beat Hellas Verona in May to clinch a top-four finish ahead of illustrious Serie A rivals AC Milan and Juventus, the clock was already ticking on a summer project that had more to do with what's around the pitch than what happens on it.Como have added the likes of Moise Kean, Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sanchez and former loanee Alvaro Morata to their playing ranks but UEFA stadium requirements meant that a lightning renovations turnaround would be required to ensure that their Champions League home matches could be played at home.Manager Cesc Fabregas will lead Como out for their first-ever match in Europe's premier club competition on Thursday. Thanks to an impressive effort off the pitch, he will do so at Stadio Sinigaglia.Como's Champions League matches would have been moved to SassuoloComo get their league phase campaign underway against RB Leipzig and will also face Manchester United, AEK Athens and back-to-back European champions Paris Saint-Germain at home.At the end of last season, their ground was not compliant with Champions League requirements and extensive work has been carried out over the last three months. Without the upgrades, Como would have played those four matches 200km away at the home of Sassuolo. You may like Cesc Fabregas' Champions Lake: 1907 Como play in the UCL for the first time Como make incredible Champions League gesture on eve of competition debut Non English club to play their home Champions League games in London this season Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 List"To meet UEFA requirements, renovation work on the stadium has been completed, including the construction of a new stand and the enhancement of infrastructure, security systems and operational facilities," Como said in a statement in advance of Leipzig's visit and the start of the league phase."Sinigaglia has been the home of Como 1907 for almost a century. Its role in the city and in the life of the club makes the opportunity to play these matches here particularly special.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."Como 1907 would like to thank everyone who helped make this possible, as well as our fans for their patience and constant support throughout the entire process."Como's stadium has achieved UEFA Category 4 status as a result of the work. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the renovations included a near-miraculous rebuild of the Curva Ovest, upgraded floodlights, improvements to the media facilities, better toilets and enhanced security systems."The pitch was also completely relaid, widened by an additional two metres, and re-turfed with a new-generation hybrid grass, a specific request from Fabregas to facilitate ball possession," reports Giulio Saetta.Como have been on a tear under the ownership of the Indonesian tobacco giants Djarum Group, which took over in 2019.The Lariani, recently promoted back to the third tier, spent two seasons in Serie C and three in Serie B before securing promotion to the top tier in 2023/24.Djarum appointed Fabregas, a former player and interim head coach at the club, to take them into Serie A. They've finished tenth and fourth in the last two seasons and are showing few signs of slowing down.TOPICSChampions LeagueSerie AChris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
