With the richest owners in Italian football at the helm in the Hartono brothers, it is safe to say there is plenty of expectation on Como’s shoulders, meaning the 3-0 away humbling at the hands of Juventus on Matchday one was somewhat disappointing.
Their flurry of top-level signings, including one of Cagliari’s own in Alberto Dossena, looked like they needed time to bed in as Cagliari’s Zito Luvumbo tested 41-year-old Pepe Reina’s reflexes by shooting low at his near post.
The veteran Spaniard was equal to it, but succumbed to the pressure moments before half-time, showing unusual indecisiveness in opting not to leave his line and therefore allowing Atalanta loanee Roberto Piccoli to nod home.
![Match stats Match stats](https://livesport-ott-images.ssl.cdn.cra.cz/r900xfq60/f663a698-4ded-43b3-819c-4ccbe4a7ee7b.jpg)
Fabregas turned to his bench at the break and introduced on-loan Manchester City ace Maximo Perrone, who made an almost immediate impact from a corner.
The Argentine swung in a right-footed cross which was flicked goalwards by Dossena before falling at the feet of last season's 14-goal striker Patrick Cutrone. From just a few yards out, he couldn’t miss as he opened his side's 2024/25 SA tally.
As the game approached its climax, both sides looked more interested in preserving a point than claiming all three. Still, Reina, who is well known for his consistency over his 25-year career, was close to making a comical error in the match’s final moments.
As he tried to trap Razvan Marin’s tame effort, it spun underneath his foot and was heading towards goal. Thankfully for the shot-stopper, his agility remains intact, and he was able to retrieve the ball before it rolled across the line.
For Cagliari, two consecutive draws represent a solid start. Meanwhile, despite Como now not winning either of their first two matches across their last 10 Serie A seasons, they take confidence from a spirited draw.
In the long run, Fabregas will hope his host of new arrivals gel and make his life a lot easier.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Alberto Dossena (Como 1907)