Cesc Fabregas, the manager of Como, delivered a brutal assessment of his star striker Alvaro Morata following a red card in their 2-1 draw against Fiorentina. Fabregas expressed deep frustration with Morata, a former Chelsea forward, who received two yellow cards in quick succession late in the match, leading to his dismissal in the 89th minute.
Fabregas's Harsh Words for Morata
In post-match comments, Fabregas did not hold back, stating, 'Provocation is part of football, those who can’t live with that should play another sport.' He emphasized his disappointment, adding, 'I expect much more from an experienced player like him. We can’t make excuses, though, and we can’t allow for what other people do on the pitch to affect us.'
Match Details and Morata's Conduct
The game saw Fiorentina take a 2-0 lead with goals from Nicolo Fagiolo and Moise Kean, but an own goal from Fabiano Parisi brought Como back into contention. However, Morata's actions overshadowed the comeback. The 33-year-old Spaniard, on loan from AC Milan, was involved in confrontations with Rolando Mandragora and Marin Pongracic, resulting in two rapid yellow cards and his sending-off.
Morata has struggled for form this season, scoring only one goal in 18 appearances for Como. Despite this, the team is enjoying a remarkable sophomore campaign in Serie A, currently sitting seventh and just five points off the Champions League places.
Fabregas Reflects on Coaching Challenges
Fabregas also expressed irritation with his own role in the loss, saying, 'I’m annoyed that I wasn’t able to help the boys understand the importance of the game. I showed them my experience as a footballer during the week, maybe too much, but it wasn’t enough. We’re a young team.'
He critiqued the team's performance, noting, 'It wasn’t a football match in the second half. Leaving that aside, the game has to be won with the right motivation and energy. I feel bad as a coach, because I wasn’t able to convey this to my players today.' Fabregas highlighted the need for improvement, stating, 'Maybe it was in our heads. We made a mistake in our attitude, we have to show more desire and be better in attack if we want to play our game.'
Looking Ahead for Como
Despite the setback, Como have much to play for. They face upcoming matches against Inter Milan at San Siro and Torino, with Fabregas viewing these as opportunities to bounce back. Additionally, the club remains in contention for silverware, with Coppa Italia semi-final legs against Inter Milan scheduled for March and April.
Fiorentina's Season Turnaround
On the other side, Fiorentina's victory moved them out of the relegation zone, marking a positive shift in their turbulent season. After spending much of the campaign in the bottom three, La Viola have shown resilience since the start of the year, recording three wins, three draws, and just two defeats in Serie A.
This result underscores the competitive nature of the league, with both teams fighting for crucial points as the season progresses.
