Cesc Fabregas shifts his perspective and highlights one factor in particular: “In modern soccer, it’s essential.”

Cesc Fabregas’s Como secured its third win in four league games. Although the team didn’t rout Parma—its opponent of the day—by as wide a margin as it did against Genoa and Leipzig, it managed to stay in contention at the top of the standings by defeating Parma 2-1. Fabregas explained at a press conference that he had been quite worried that a cruel twist of fate might occur that could jeopardize the three points.

“When you take nearly thirty shots and score only one goal, you know that in the end the opponents can make a change and put you in trouble,” said the Catalan coach. “That’s why I’m very happy: it was important to see how the players would react after a big win—the first in the club’s Champions League history. Reproducing that same energy is never a given.”

Fàbregas emphasized that the start of the match was crucial in setting the tone: “If we hadn’t played that first half today—those 40 minutes of intensity—we would have risked losing or drawing this match, let alone winning it. It was a hard-fought victory, not an easy one. Kean? I’m very happy with his performance. He’s in a new environment; I’m asking him to do things he’s never done before, especially defensively. It’s normal for there to be an adjustment period—it happens to everyone. But he’s improving.”

Finally, the Como coach highlighted a factor he believes is underrated, but which proved decisive in today’s match, given that two players from the back line—Ramon and Kaiki—scored: “In modern soccer, it’s essential to have defenders who score. Without going too far afield: Arsenal won the Premier League thanks to numerous goals from their defenders.”