Como hit nine in historic UCL rout, Fabregas asks players to stay humble

Como produced a historic 9-1 away win over RC Lens to move up to fourth in the Champions League table. But Cesc Fabregas has warned his young side against getting carried away, insisting that the hard work must continue.Como boss Cesc Fabregas wants his side to stay on their toes after their big win over RC Lens. (Image: Reuters)New Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 14:33 ISTCesc Fabregas wants Como to keep their feet on the ground after his side produced a result few would have predicted, thrashing RC Lens 9-1 away from home in the Champions League. Despite the record-breaking scoreline, the Spanish coach was quick to remind his players that there is still plenty of work to be done.The victory made Como the first team to score nine goals away from home in Champions League history. The eight-goal winning margin also matched the competition's biggest, previously achieved by Liverpool against Besiktas in 2007 and Real Madrid against Malmo in 2015. Como moved up to fourth in the league-phase standings after the result.Fabregas was pleased with the performance but felt the occasion should not lead to complacency, particularly with several young players in his squad. He wanted them to enjoy the moment without allowing one extraordinary result to change their mindset or expectations."It has been a great night for Como, for all our fans, and for many of the young players who are just starting their careers," Fabregas said after the match. "But we have to keep our feet on the ground, stay humble, and keep working hard. This is something we must always learn." The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder also warned his players against getting carried away by the scale of their victory. "We must learn this now so we don't buy into our own hype or think that the job is already done," he added. "We have to learn to say: 'Okay, it was a good day, let's move forward and try to keep putting in good performances.'"The result was also Como's first away victory in their debut season in European competition. It extended their winning run across all competitions to six matches, with a crucial Serie A meeting against Inter coming up on Sunday.DOUVIKAS LEADS COMO'S GOAL FEST Tasos Douvikas was at the centre of the nine-goal spectacle, scoring a hat-trick to become the first Como player to achieve the feat in European competition. He also became only the third Greek international to score a Champions League hat-trick. Nico Paz was another standout, scoring once and providing two assists.Lucas Da Cunha, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Mattia Liberali, Martin Baturina and teenage debutant Matteo Papaccioli also got on the scoresheet. Douvikas has now scored in all four of Como's Champions League matches, while the club's overall tally has reached 19 goals, just one behind Paris Saint-Germain.COMO'S RAPID RISE UNDER FABREGASComo's progress has been remarkable given that this is their first-ever campaign in European competition. They opened with 4-1 wins over RB Leipzig and Manchester United before suffering a 3-2 defeat to Feyenoord. The demolition of Lens was their first Champions League away win.Their domestic form has been just as encouraging. Como sit fourth in Serie A with 23 points from 10 matches and have won six consecutive games across competitions. Inter, currently second in the table, are next on Sunday.There is also plenty left to play for in Europe, with AEK Athens, Real Betis, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona still to come. Fabregas has made it clear that the Lens result should be enjoyed, but not allowed to distract his side from the challenges ahead.- Ends