CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Como 1907 |
| League | Serie A |
| Manager | Cesc Fàbregas |
| Stadium | Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia |
| Nickname | I Lariani |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Creative Hub | Nico Paz |
| Key Signing | Luis Milla (from Getafe) |
| Midfield Anchor | Máximo Perrone |
| Current League Position | 5th (23 points from 11 matches) |
The Defining Moment
Como’s midfield entered 2026/27 as the engine room of a project that had exceeded every expectation. Cesc Fàbregas had built a team that finished fourth in Serie A and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. The midfield was the heart of that achievement: a fluid, rotating unit that controlled games through possession, positional intelligence, and the kind of collective understanding that only comes from relentless coaching.
The defining moment of the summer came on 1 July 2026, when Como announced the signing of Luis Milla from Getafe on a permanent deal until June 2029. The 31-year-old Spaniard had just completed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, recording ten assists in 37 league appearances to finish as La Liga’s second-highest assist provider. Fàbregas’s assessment was precise: “Luis is a player with great understanding of the game. He gives us control, quality and experience in midfield, but above all he has the personality and ambition we look for.”
Milla’s arrival was not a luxury. It was a necessity. Como were about to embark on a season of three fronts — Serie A, the Champions League, and the Coppa Italia — and the midfield needed depth. The core of Máximo Perrone, Lucas Da Cunha, and the emerging Nico Paz was talented but thin. Milla provided experience, creativity, and the kind of composure that Fàbregas’s system demands.
The results have been impressive. Como sit fifth in Serie A with 23 points from 11 matches, having scored 18 goals and conceded just 10. The midfield has been central to that balance: controlling possession, protecting the defence, and providing the platform for Paz’s creative explosions. But the season is long, and the Champions League has already exposed the squad’s margins.
This is the story of Como’s 2026/27 midfielders: a Spanish playmaker adjusting to a new league, an Argentine prodigy carrying the weight of expectation, and a collection of complementary pieces learning to function in one of Europe’s most demanding tactical systems.
Tactical Context
Fàbregas’s midfield structure is deceptively complex. The 4-2-3-1 that appears on the team sheet is merely a starting point. During build-up, the players rotate constantly, creating numerical superiorities in midfield and drawing opponents out of position. The two central midfielders — typically Perrone and one of Milla or Da Cunha — are tasked with screening the defence, circulating possession, and breaking lines with vertical passes. Ahead of them, Paz operates between the lines, linking midfield to attack and providing the creative spark that turns control into penetration.
The demands on the central pairing are specific and unforgiving. They must be comfortable receiving under pressure. They must be mobile enough to cover the spaces vacated by the advancing full-backs. And they must possess the tactical intelligence to know when to hold position and when to advance. Perrone embodies the defensive discipline; Milla offers the creative control; Da Cunha provides the attacking thrust.
The numbers reflect a midfield built for control rather than chaos. Como average 59% possession in Serie A, and their passing accuracy places them among the division’s most efficient sides. But possession is not an end in itself. Fàbregas’s system demands verticality when space opens, and the midfield must recognise the moment to accelerate.
The Champions League has added a new dimension. The intensity of European football has exposed the squad’s thin margins, and the rotation that Fàbregas has employed — particularly in midfield — reflects the need to manage minutes across three competitions. The arrival of Samuele Ricci, the 25-year-old Italian midfielder, was a direct response to that need: a rotational option capable of maintaining the system’s rhythm when the starters need rest.
The Midfielders
Nico Paz
Paz is the cornerstone of Como’s project and the most gifted player in the squad. The 22-year-old Argentine, who arrived from Real Madrid’s academy and has now extended his stay for a third consecutive season, is the player upon whom Fàbregas’s attacking structure depends. His profile is that of the modern number ten: technically exquisite, physically robust, capable of scoring and creating in equal measure.
The numbers from his first two seasons in Italy are remarkable. He was named Serie A’s Best Under-23 Player for 2024/25 and Best Midfielder for 2025/26. In his second campaign, he led the league for total shots (121), shots on target (46), and open-play shots (102). His left foot delivers defence-splitting passes and thunderous strikes with equal facility. He has already recorded 19 goals and 16 assists in 75 appearances for Como.
His role in Fàbregas’s system is central. He operates between the lines, receiving the ball in tight spaces and turning defence into attack in an instant. He presses relentlessly, contributes to the collective defensive effort, and provides the creative spark that transforms possession into chances. Lionel Messi included him among the world’s ten brightest young talents, a testament to his potential.
The concern is the speculation. Real Madrid retains an €80 million buy-back clause, and reports linking him with a return to the Bernabéu surface with annual regularity. Sporting director Carlalberto Ludi has acknowledged the chatter with good humour: “Every year, between November and March, it was said that Nico Paz had to go back to Real Madrid. In the end, we’re still lucky enough to keep enjoying him.” For now, Paz remains at Como, and his presence is the foundation of everything Fàbregas is building.
Luis Milla
Milla is the summer’s marquee midfield signing, the experienced Spanish playmaker who arrived from Getafe to add control and creativity to a youthful core. The 31-year-old, standing 175 centimetres, is not a physical presence; he is a metronome, a player whose value lies in his positioning, his passing range, and his ability to dictate the tempo of a match.
His profile is that of the deep-lying playmaker. At Getafe, he was the linchpin of a side that prioritised possession, recording ten assists in 37 league appearances — the second-highest total in La Liga. His composure under pressure and his vision in tight spaces are precisely the qualities that Fàbregas wanted to add to a midfield that already possessed energy and youth.
His integration has been gradual but promising. The transition from Spanish football to Serie A requires adaptation, and Milla has been eased into the starting line-up rather than thrown into the deep end. His early-season minutes have been significant, and his passing accuracy and positional discipline have provided the stability that the midfield required. At 31, he is not a long-term solution, but he is a valuable short-term one — a player who can bridge the gap between Como’s ambitious present and its uncertain future.
Máximo Perrone
Perrone is the defensive anchor of Como’s midfield and the player who allows Paz and Milla to operate with freedom. The 23-year-old Argentine, who arrived from Manchester City’s academy, has established himself as one of the most reliable young midfielders in Serie A. His profile is that of the modern pivote: positional, disciplined, and intelligent in his reading of the game.
His role in Fàbregas’s system is unglamorous but essential. He screens the back four, covers the spaces left by the advancing full-backs, and circulates possession with efficiency rather than flair. The arrival of Ricci was not an indictment of Perrone’s form; it was an acknowledgement that a player of his profile cannot play every match across three competitions.
At 23, Perrone is entering the phase of his career where potential must translate into consistent performance. His continued development will determine whether Como’s midfield becomes a long-term strength or a temporary success.
Lucas Da Cunha
Da Cunha is the most versatile of Como’s midfield options. The 25-year-old Frenchman, who has been at the club since 2024, can operate as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or even a wide forward. His profile is that of the box-to-box midfielder: energetic, willing to cover ground, and capable of arriving in the box late.
His role in Fàbregas’s rotation has been significant. He has captained the side in several matches, a reflection of his standing within the dressing room, and his ability to adapt to different roles has made him a valuable asset across a demanding season. He is not as technically gifted as Milla or as creative as Paz, but his energy and versatility provide balance to a midfield that might otherwise be too static.
Samuele Ricci
Ricci is the summer’s other midfield arrival, a 25-year-old Italian who joined to provide rotation and competition in the central pairing. His profile is that of the intelligent, positionally disciplined midfielder: not physically imposing, but tactically astute and exceptionally accurate in his passing.
His role is clear: he is the alternative to Perrone, the player who can step in when the Argentine needs rest or when Fàbregas wants a more conservative presence in the engine room. The Gazzetta dello Sport described him as “a crucial balancer” in a system that demands immense work from its central midfielders. At 25, he is entering his prime, and his presence provides the depth that Como lacked in the previous season.
Sergi Roberto, Maxence Caqueret, and the Academy Options
Sergi Roberto, the 34-year-old veteran, provides experience and leadership in a squad that blends youth and ambition. Maxence Caqueret, the 26-year-old Frenchman, offers another option in the central pairing, though his future at the club has been the subject of speculation. The academy graduates — Adrian Lahdo, Fabio Rispoli, and others — represent the pipeline that Como’s development structure has prioritised, though their immediate first-team opportunities are limited.
The Numbers Game
Table A: Como Midfielder Serie A Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nico Paz | — | — | — | — | Creative hub; 3 goals, 5 assists in CL |
| Luis Milla | — | — | — | — | Summer signing; control and creativity |
| Máximo Perrone | — | — | — | — | Defensive anchor |
| Lucas Da Cunha | — | — | — | — | Versatile; captain on occasions |
| Samuele Ricci | — | — | — | — | Rotation option; positional intelligence |
Table B: Como Midfield – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Team Goals per Game | 1.64 | 18 goals in 11 matches |
| Team Goals Against per Game | 0.91 | 10 conceded in 11 matches |
| Record | 7W-2D-2L | 5th in Serie A |
| Possession Average | 59% | Among Serie A’s highest |
| Milla 2025/26 Assists | 10 | Second-highest in La Liga |
Table C: Midfielder Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nico Paz | Argentina | Real Madrid Academy | Modern number ten, creative, goalscoring, pressing |
| Luis Milla | Spain | Getafe, Granada | Deep-lying playmaker, control, assists |
| Máximo Perrone | Argentina | Man City Academy | Positional pivote, disciplined, efficient |
| Lucas Da Cunha | France | — | Box-to-box, versatile, energetic |
| Samuele Ricci | Italy | — | Intelligent, passing accuracy, rotation option |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Como’s midfield is a study in Fàbregas’s philosophy. The central pairing of Perrone and one of Milla or Da Cunha provides the platform; Paz provides the magic. It is not a midfield of physical dominance or relentless pressing; it is a midfield of control, intelligence, and positional awareness. The numbers reflect this: 18 goals scored and 10 conceded in 11 matches, a balance that has placed Como fifth in Serie A and within reach of the Champions League places.
The depth is adequate but not abundant. Perrone, Milla, Da Cunha, and Ricci form the core of the rotation, with Sergi Roberto and Caqueret providing additional cover. The loss of Paz to injury or suspension would be a significant blow, as his creative output is irreplaceable within the current squad. The arrival of Milla was a response to that fragility, but no single player can replicate what Paz provides.
The Champions League has tested the squad’s margins. The rotation that Fàbregas has employed reflects the need to manage minutes across three competitions, and the results have been mixed: a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at home, a 2-3 defeat at Feyenoord. The midfield has functioned effectively in Europe, but the intensity of the competition has exposed the thinness of the alternatives.
The January window is unlikely to see significant midfield reinforcements. Como’s resources are limited, and the priority, if any, would be a forward who can add goals to a team that has scored 18 in 11 matches. The midfield, for all its limitations, is functioning as designed.
The Verdict from the Camp
Cesc Fàbregas, on Luis Milla’s arrival:
“Luis is a player with great understanding of the game. He gives us control, quality and experience in midfield, but above all he has the personality and ambition we look for. He’ll help the team in many ways, both with and without the ball, and we’re delighted to welcome him to Como.”
Luis Milla, on joining Como:
“I am very happy and full of ambition for this new challenge at Como, a project whose values I share and which is led by a coach like Cesc Fàbregas. I bring my hunger to improve, my experience and my desire to help the team. I can’t wait to play in front of our fans and fight together for a great season.”
Carlalberto Ludi, on Nico Paz’s future:
“Every year, between November and March, it was said that Nico Paz had to go back to Real Madrid. In the end, we’re still lucky enough to keep enjoying him.”
Where Next?
Como’s midfield priority is clear: they need Paz to stay fit and focused, and they need Milla to adapt to Serie A’s rhythms. The Argentine is the creative engine of the team, and his presence transforms Como from a well-organised side into a genuinely dangerous one. The Spaniard provides the control and experience that a young squad needs, and his integration will determine whether the midfield can sustain its performance across a demanding season.
The development of Perrone and Ricci is the secondary subplot. Both are young, both have potential, and both will be needed as the season progresses. Perrone’s defensive discipline and Ricci’s positional intelligence provide the foundation upon which Paz and Milla can operate. If they can maintain their consistency, Como will have one of the most balanced midfields in the division.
The January window is unlikely to bring changes. Como’s record is respectable, and the club’s resources are better directed elsewhere. The priority is to maintain the status quo and hope that the midfield’s delicate balance holds through the demanding months of Champions League and Serie A football.
For now, Como’s midfielders are a unit defined by intelligence and control. Paz creates, Milla orchestrates, Perrone anchors, and the supporting cast provides depth without drama. The question is whether intelligence is enough for a club with Como’s ambitions. The early-season evidence suggests it might be — as long as Paz stays, Milla adapts, and the structure holds.
