Cesc Fabregas says Como’s academy is already showing the Italian identity the club wants for its first team, after their Youth League side beat Manchester United with eight Italians in the starting XI.

With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Spaniard was speaking at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Serie A game with Sassuolo. Como’s Under-19s had 16 Italian players in their squad for the win over United, mirroring the first team’s 4-1 victory in the Champions League.

“I’m very happy. Many of the lads arrived this year. They’re strong, they’re Italian, and it’s a similar concept to what we’d like to bring to the first team,” Fabregas said. “They understand our style of play and they’re doing a great job.”

Earlier this week, president Mirwan Suwarso said the club’s goal is to one day field a team made up entirely of Italians, ideally all from Lombardy, following the Athletic Club model.

Fabregas: Como’s short squad opens the door to youngsters

The Como coach believes the size of his squad is helping young players come through.

“We have a short squad, but if you have a long one, you never need to bring anyone up from the academy,” he explained. “Otherwise we wouldn’t have found Cassano, or given chances to Pisati and Baralla, and Papaccioli has come back. It’s all coming from our youth sector.”

Fabregas was also asked about Samuele Ricci, who joined from Milan in the summer but has struggled for minutes.

“Everyone will find space. He’s training at a high level, and his chance will come. I like his quality, but above all his mentality since he arrived,” he said. “He’s always been discreet, humble, smiling and focused on his work. That’s how it should always be, because some young players today get their heads turned. The opportunity can come, as it did for Liberali.”