Como 1907 is an Italian professional football club based in Como, Lombardy, competing in Serie A, the highest level of the Italian football league system.[1][2]
Founded on 25 May 1907 as Como Football Club following an exhibition match in 1906, the club has a history marked by early participation in Italy's top divisions and multiple promotions and relegations.[3][4] It achieved its highest Serie A finish of sixth place in the 1948–49 season and secured Serie B titles in 1931, 1946, and 1975, alongside spells in the top flight during the late 1940s, 1970s, 1980s, and briefly in 2002–03.[3][5] Following financial difficulties and bankruptcy that relegated it to Serie D, the club was acquired in 2019 by SENT Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Indonesian Djarum Group owned by brothers Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Hartono, who rank among the world's wealthiest individuals.[6][7]
Under this ownership, Como 1907 experienced rapid ascent, winning promotion from Serie C to Serie B in 2021 and from Serie B to Serie A in 2024 after a 21-year absence from the elite division, managed by Cesc Fàbregas with minority stakes held by figures including Thierry Henry.[7][8] The club's revival emphasizes sustainable growth, leveraging its scenic lakeside location and international backing to establish itself as a competitive force in modern Italian football.[6]
History
Foundation and early years
The Como Foot-Ball Club was established in May 1907 by local football enthusiasts in Como, Italy, following a match in spring 1906 on the shore of Lake Como between members of the rowing club Canottieri Lario and players from the Buffalo Bill Circus.[3] The club initially focused on amateur play in regional Lombardy leagues, with its first official pitch inaugurated on 1 October 1911 in Via dei Mille.[3]In the 1913–14 season, Como achieved promotion to the Prima Categoria, the top tier of Italian football at the time, under the guidance of player-coach Gustavo Carrer, marking the club's entry into national competition.[3] Activities were suspended during World War I, limiting play to local derbies against rivals such as Esperia, before resumption led to relegation to the Second Division in 1922 amid economic difficulties.[3]Under fascist policies aimed at consolidating Italian football, authorities mandated a merger in 1926 between Como Foot-Ball Club and Esperia, forming Associazione Calcio Comense; the club reverted to Associazione Calcio Como in 1936.[3][9] In the early 1930s, coached by Hungarian Gedeon Lukacs, Comense secured promotion to Serie B in the 1930–31 Prima Divisione season by winning the league undefeated, a record still noted for its dominance.[3][9]Relegation followed in 1936 to the Promozione league, then Serie C, where the club competed through the late 1930s and World War II era, adapting to wartime disruptions while winning the Lombard regional tournament in 1945.[3] These years reflected grassroots development constrained by regional economics and regime-driven reorganizations, with no major national titles beyond lower-division successes.[9]
Mid-20th century fluctuations
Following World War II, Como resumed competitive play in Serie B, finishing 9th in 1946/47 and improving to 4th in 1947/48 before securing promotion as champions in 1948/49 under manager Mario Varglien.[10][3] The club debuted in Serie A during the 1949/50 season, achieving a respectable 7th place with an all-Italian squad featuring captain Mario Stua and Alfredo Travia, and notable results including victories over Inter Milan in subsequent campaigns.[10][3] However, inconsistent performances led to finishes of 8th in 1950/51, 13th in 1951/52, and 17th in 1952/53, resulting in relegation under manager Roberto Winkler amid competitive pressures from larger urban clubs with greater financial resources.[10][3][11]Returning to Serie B in 1953/54, Como experienced a decade of fluctuations, posting strong mid-table results such as 4th in 1953/54 and 3rd in 1955/56 under manager Loris Lamanna, who emphasized tactical discipline but fell short of promotion due to narrow defeats in decisive matches against rivals like Genoa and Udinese.[10][3] Managerial shifts, including the introduction of an offensive style by Eraldo Monzeglio in 1946 that prioritized youth academy development, provided temporary boosts but could not overcome structural weaknesses, such as limited transfer budgets compared to Serie A contenders.[3] By the early 1960s, declining form saw finishes of 9th in 1959/60 and 11th in 1960/61, culminating in 18th place in 1962/63 and relegation to Serie C after a FIGC ruling disqualified the club for fielding ineligible player Paolo Bessi in key fixtures.[10][3]These inconsistencies occurred against the backdrop of Italy's post-war economic miracle, which spurred industrial growth in Lombardy and increased tourism around Lake Como, modestly enhancing local fan attendance through rising regional prosperity without translating to sustained on-pitch success.[3] The Sinigaglia Stadium, operational since 1927, hosted these eras with minimal infrastructural upgrades, relying on its lakeside location to draw crowds averaging several thousand for promotion chases, though gate revenues remained constrained by the club's provincial scale.[3]
Late 20th century promotions and demotions
In the mid-1970s, Como secured promotion to Serie A for the 1975–76 season after clinching the Serie B title, highlighted by the contributions of midfielder Marco Tardelli.[3] The club struggled in the top flight, finishing 18th and facing relegation due to defensive vulnerabilities that conceded 40 goals in 30 matches.[11] Returning to Serie B for 1976–77, Como placed sixth, but faltered in 1977–78, leading to demotion to Serie C1 after a season marked by inconsistent performances.[3]Como swiftly rebounded by winning Serie C1 in 1978–79, earning promotion back to Serie B for 1979–80, where they again captured the title to return to Serie A for 1980–81.[12] In that campaign, the team under Tarcisio Burgnich finished 13th, avoiding relegation through gritty defensive play and key contributions from players like Adriano Lombardi, who tallied 9 goals.[11] However, defensive frailties resurfaced in 1981–82, resulting in 15th place and relegation to Serie B for 1982–83, where a third-place finish signaled competitive potential amid growing financial strains from player sales and operational costs.[3]The club stabilized in Serie B through the early 1980s before achieving promotion to Serie A in 1984 under Burgnich's continued management, initiating a more sustained top-flight presence from 1984–85 to 1988–89.[3] During this five-season stint, Como's best result was 10th in 1985–86, bolstered by imports like Hansi Müller and Dan Corneliusson, though recurring issues with squad depth and tactical rigidity often exposed weaknesses against stronger sides, culminating in relegation after the 1988–89 season with 25 points from 34 matches.[11] Post-relegation, rapid demotions followed to Serie C1 by the early 1990s, exacerbated by mounting debts from mismanaged transfers and inadequate revenue, contrasting the on-pitch competitiveness of the prior decade.[13]
Season
League
Position
Outcome
1975–76
Serie A
18th
Relegated
1980–81
Serie A
13th
Survived
1981–82
Serie A
15th
Relegated
1984–85 to 1988–89
Serie A
Varied (best 10th)
Relegated after 1988–89
1978–79
Serie C1
1st
Promoted
1979–80
Serie B
1st
Promoted
1983–84
Serie B
1st
Promoted
This table summarizes key promotions and demotions, underscoring Como's pattern of brief ascents undermined by structural inefficiencies rather than sustained excellence.[3][11]
Bankruptcies and refoundings in the 2000s
In the early 2000s, Calcio Como faced escalating financial strain following relegations from Serie A in 2003 and Serie B in 2004, exacerbated by mismanagement and unsustainable spending on player wages and transfers relative to declining revenues.[14][15] On December 22, 2004, the club was declared bankrupt by Italian authorities amid mounting liabilities and exclusion from the ongoing Serie C1 season.[14][16] Despite attempts to attract investors, no viable bids materialized to acquire the club's assets, leading to liquidation proceedings that underscored repeated failures in fiscal oversight by prior ownership.[15][14]The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) facilitated a refounding through a new entity, Calcio Como S.r.l., admitted to Serie D for the 2005–06 season under exceptional regulatory provisions allowing amateur-level restarts for insolvent professional clubs.[14] This process involved transferring select assets like youth infrastructure but required the new ownership to operate without inherited debts, highlighting the FIGC's pragmatic approach to preserving local football continuity amid governance lapses.[14] Initial operations under bankruptcy trustee Francesco De Michele focused on stabilization, yet attendance figures plummeted from averages exceeding 5,000 in Serie B to under 1,000 in Serie D, reflecting fan disillusionment with serial mismanagement.[3][14]Post-refounding, the club achieved rapid on-field progress, securing promotion from Serie D to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (formerly Serie C2) by winning the 2007–08 title, but underlying structural weaknesses persisted.[14] This ascent masked recurrent overspending patterns, culminating in relegation from Lega Pro Prima Divisione in 2015–16 and a second dissolution in June 2016 due to renewed insolvency, with liabilities again outstripping revenues from lower-division operations.[17][15] The episodes revealed a cycle of promotional highs followed by fiscal collapse, attributable to inadequate budgeting and reliance on short-term investor infusions rather than sustainable models.[14]
Hartono acquisition and Serie A resurgence
In April 2019, Sent Entertainment, a London-based entity controlled by Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono through their Djarum Group conglomerate, acquired Como 1907 for approximately €850,000 while the club languished in Serie D, Italy's fourth tier.[18][6] This takeover marked a strategic entry into European football, with subsequent investments exceeding €390 million directed toward global scouting networks, youth academy enhancements, and targeted player acquisitions to rebuild competitiveness.[19] These efforts yielded consecutive promotions: elevation to Serie C at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season via playoff victory, ascent to Serie B after topping the Serie C Group A standings in 2021–22 with 80 points from 38 matches, and clinching Serie A promotion on May 10, 2024, following a 1–1 draw against Cosenza on the final day of the 2023–24 Serie B campaign, which secured second place behind champions Parma.[20][7]The resurgence relied on pragmatic transfer dealings, emphasizing cost-effective signings of experienced midfielders and defensive reinforcements, alongside data-driven scouting that integrated South American and African talents into the squad. In the 2023–24 Serie B season, Como recorded 21 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses, achieving a 55% win rate and conceding just 36 goals en route to promotion, a defensive solidity attributed to managerial stability under Osian Roberts and later Cesc Fàbregas.[21] Entering the 2024–25 Serie A, the club invested in reinforcements like winger Assane Diao and defender Oliver Abildgaard, though early results highlighted adaptation challenges in the top flight. By October 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 Serie A season, Como held a 3–3–1 record with 12 points from 7 matches, placing sixth and demonstrating resilience against relegation pressures through balanced play.[22]Parallel to on-pitch gains, ownership pursued revenue diversification via non-football ventures, launching SENT Tourism in June 2025 as a luxury travel arm curating bespoke packages integrating match attendance, Lake Como excursions, and cultural immersions for fans and corporate clients.[23][24] This initiative, modeled aspirationally on Disney's ecosystem by centering experiences around the club's locale, seeks to mitigate football's inherent financial risks—such as high wage bills and promotion/relegation volatility—through tourism inflows, though critics note that ancillary revenues comprised under 20% of club income in prior seasons, underscoring dependence on core sporting success amid Serie A's €1.5 billion annual broadcast distribution.[6][25] Sustainability hinges on sustained top-flight status, as historical precedents in Italian football reveal that rapid ascents often precede fiscal strain without diversified, scalable off-field models.[26]
Ownership and finances
Ownership transitions
Throughout its history, Como's ownership has been characterized by frequent transitions driven by financial instability, with proprietors often acquiring the club during periods of distress only to face escalating debts that prompted sales or bankruptcies. In the mid-1990s, entrepreneur Enrico Preziosi assumed control, leading the club from Serie C1 to promotion to Serie A by 2002, but consecutive relegations and mounting fiscal pressures culminated in his departure in 2003 amid sales to interim groups, setting the stage for the club's declaration of bankruptcy in December 2004.[27][14] This liquidation excluded Como from professional leagues, forcing a restart in the amateur Eccellenza division under new local management, highlighting a pattern where short-term investments failed to address underlying solvency issues.
Owner/President
Tenure
Key Fiscal/League Outcomes
Enrico Preziosi
1995–2003
Achieved Serie A status but incurred debts exceeding operational revenues, leading to sale and subsequent 2004 bankruptcy with club liquidation.[27][28]
Antonio Di Bari & Amilcare Rivetti
2006–2012
Stabilized in Serie C after promotions from lower tiers, but persistent deficits from wage arrears and infrastructure costs necessitated ownership shift.[3][29]
Pietro Porro
2012–2016
Oversaw six Serie C seasons amid accumulating liabilities, resulting in July 2016 bankruptcy declaration and club extinction.[3][17]
Subsequent attempts to revive the club post-2004 bankruptcy involved multiple short-lived presidencies, averaging under five years each, correlating with repeated failures to secure sustainable league positions beyond Serie C and recurrent insolvency events. The 2016 bankruptcy, for instance, followed unpaid player salaries and creditor claims totaling millions of euros, leading to an auction won briefly by external investor Akosua Puni Essien, whose FC Como entity collapsed in 2017 due to non-admission to leagues and further defaults.[17][30] This churn underscored causal links between inadequate capital infusion, high operational costs relative to gate receipts (often below 2,000 attendees in lower divisions), and demotions, as owners prioritized immediate competitiveness over long-term financial structuring.[14] A 2017 refounding in Serie D under local committees perpetuated the cycle until external acquisition, reflecting systemic vulnerabilities in Italian lower-tier club governance where ownership instability exacerbated fiscal decline.[3]
Hartono Group era and business model
In April 2019, the Hartono brothers—Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono, Indonesian billionaires with a combined net worth exceeding $40 billion primarily from the Djarum tobacco conglomerate—acquired Como 1907 through their London-based entity SENT Entertainment for approximately €850,000, assuming control of a club languishing in Serie D amid financial distress.[18] Immediately following the purchase, the owners cleared outstanding debts and injected capital to stabilize operations, enabling a rapid ascent: promotion to Serie C in the 2019–20 season via playoffs, followed by successive advancements to Serie B in 2022 and Serie A in 2024 after winning the Serie B title.[18][31] This financial backing, totaling over $100 million in player transfers by mid-2025, facilitated high-profile signings and infrastructure upgrades, though Serie A licensing required demonstrating balanced budgets compliant with Italian football federation rules on owner contributions.[31]Key to the operational overhaul was the recruitment of Dennis Wise, a former Chelsea midfielder, who joined as technical consultant in May 2019 and ascended to CEO by February 2021, overseeing scouting, youth development, and strategic hires like Cesc Fàbregas as head coach in 2025.[32] Wise's tenure emphasized data-driven recruitment and partnerships, such as with Indonesian academies, but ended in July 2024 amid reported internal shifts toward Fàbregas's influence.[33] Under Hartono oversight, the club prioritized long-term sustainability over short-term spending sprees, with president Mirwan Suwarso articulating a vision of Como as a "premium soccer destination" blending sport with regional assets.[25]The Hartono era pivoted Como toward a hybrid business model integrating football with luxury tourism, capitalizing on Lake Como's global allure to diversify beyond traditional revenues like broadcasting and tickets.[6] In 2025, the club launched SENT Tourism, an in-house operator offering bespoke packages merging Serie A match attendance with villa stays, cultural tours, and James Bond-themed experiences tied to local filming sites, aiming to position Como as a "lifestyle brand" for affluent fans.[23] Complementary ventures include a local silk-filtered beer brewery investment and the inaugural Como Cup—a five-day 2025 festival of exhibition matches, music, and gastronomy hosted lakeside to attract international visitors and generate ancillary income.[6][34] Sponsorships from Indonesian firms and tourism tie-ins have boosted merchandising from €90,000 annually pre-acquisition, though exact 2025 figures remain undisclosed, with emphasis on experiential revenue to offset Serie A operational costs exceeding €50 million yearly.[17]Critics, including some Italian football observers, have questioned the model's viability, arguing that heavy reliance on Hartono infusions—rather than organic commercial growth—mirrors "state-like" funding patterns in European clubs, potentially risking long-term self-sufficiency absent sustained tourism uptake.[35] Despite Serie A survival in their debut 2024–25 season (finishing 10th), compliance data highlights owner guarantees covering deficits, with tourism initiatives still nascent and unproven against established revenue streams like those of mid-table rivals.[31] Proponents counter that the strategy fosters ecosystem synergies, such as fan-driven economic spillovers in a tourism hub generating billions regionally, though empirical success hinges on converting branding into scalable profits.[36]
Financial challenges and strategies
Prior to the Hartono acquisition in 2019, Como 1907 faced repeated financial insolvency, including bankruptcies in 2004 and 2016 that accumulated substantial debts requiring multiple refoundings and exclusion from professional leagues.[37][15] These episodes left lingering vulnerabilities, with the club's operations restarting at amateur levels amid creditor settlements exceeding typical Serie D thresholds. Post-acquisition, audited financials reveal persistent operating deficits, including a €47.7 million net loss for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024—the season of Serie B promotion—driven by elevated personnel costs outpacing revenues of approximately €10 million from matchdays, broadcasting, and commercials.[38][39] Aggregate losses from 2021–2024 totaled €74 million, underscoring structural imbalances where costs, particularly wages, consistently exceeded income generation.[40]These deficits have been systematically offset by Hartono-led recapitalizations, totaling €328 million through mid-2025, including €66 million in 2023, €159 million in 2024, and €103 million in 2025, often via multi-staged capital increases routed through UK holdings.[41][42] Annual infusions frequently surpass €30 million, as evidenced by a €40 million injection on June 12, 2025, enabling squad investments like €112 million in summer 2025 transfers while avoiding external debt.[41][43] However, this model exposes risks from Serie A compliance, including financial fair play limits that cap spending relative to historical revenues, potentially constraining aggressive wage bills projected to exceed €47 million annually for 2025–26.[44][45]To mitigate dependency, Como employs player trading for capital gains, generating revenues from sales amid a squad market value buildup, though selective retention—such as rejecting €50–70 million bids—prioritizes long-term asset retention over immediate profits.[25] Complementing this, commercialization strategies emphasize diversification beyond matchday income, exemplified by the September 2025 launch of Como Ventures, a startup accelerator platform partnering with The Players Fund to incubate ventures in sports, technology, tourism, and culture, leveraging the club's brand for equity stakes and revenue streams.[46][47] These tactics aim to build non-football revenues, targeting profitability within three years by integrating club assets with Lake Como's tourism appeal, though empirical outcomes remain unproven against Serie A's collective bargaining limits.[24]Compared to Serie A peers, Como exhibits elevated owner dependency, with recapitalizations covering nearly 100% of losses versus clubs like Atalanta, which grew operating revenues 244% since 2014–15 through organic commercial expansion and player sales yielding sustainable positives.[48] While many Italian clubs report losses, Como's ratio—minimal self-generated income against €390 million total owner outlays since 2019—highlights vulnerability to funding cessation, contrasting diversified models reliant on TV rights (€37 million average post-relegation drop for peers) and fan bases.[49][50] This reliance, enabled by the Hartonos' $48 billion fortune, sustains ascent but amplifies risks from regulatory scrutiny or performance shortfalls.[51]
Club identity
Badge and colours
Como 1907's traditional colours are blue and white, originating from the club's foundation in 1907 by members of the local rowing society Canottieri Lario, which used similar hues reflecting the blue waters of Lake Como and white accents tied to regional sporting attire.[17] The blue symbolizes the lake central to Como's geography, while white evokes the clarity and prominence of the surrounding terrain; these were initially applied in plain light blue shirts paired with white shorts before evolving into the iconic vertical blue-and-white stripes predominant since the 1970s.[52]The club's badge has undergone several iterations, often incorporating elements of local heraldry and adapting to refoundings. Early designs from the mid-20th century featured a blue shield emblazoned with "Calcio Como" in yellow lettering and the city's coat of arms—a golden camel on red—in the upper section, approved for use following the club's post-war stabilization.[53] Subsequent versions retained blue dominance and heraldic motifs through the late 20th century, but bankruptcies in 2004 and 2016 prompted simplified emblems for the refounded entities, emphasizing textual identifiers over ornate shields. The current badge, adopted in 2019 amid the Hartono Group's acquisition and rebranding to underscore historical roots, presents a modern stylized wave pattern denoting Lake Como's contours, overlaid on a structured form to integrate geographic symbolism with contemporary minimalism.[54][53]
Kit evolution and sponsorships
Following the 2019 acquisition by the Hartono Group, Como 1907's kit designs incorporated modern branding elements, such as collaborations with designers like Didit Hediprasetyo for the 2022-23 away kit under Erreà Sport, emphasizing the club's lakeside identity through subtle patterns and color gradients.[55] These innovations continued with Adidas from the 2024-25 season, including lake-inspired motifs on the 2025-26 home shirt featuring textured waves in the traditional blue.[56]Kit suppliers transitioned frequently during the club's Serie B and promotion phases. Legea provided kits from 2019 to 2022, aligning with early stability in the third tier.[52] Erreà Sport succeeded them in a multi-year deal announced on July 5, 2022, supplying apparel through the 2023-24 season.[57]Adidas assumed the role starting in the 2024-25 Serie A campaign via a multi-year agreement covering all club teams, valued at €2.2 million annually.[58][59]Shirt sponsorships shifted from regional to multinational entities post-refounding. Local flour producer Verga held chest sponsorship from 2016 to 2019.[60] Staffing firm Randstad followed for 2020-2021, then Italian streaming service Mola through 2024.[60] Uber secured a three-year front-of-shirt deal in July 2024, part of the club's €1 million in main sponsorship revenue for the season.[61][62] Back-of-shirt partner Neuberger Berman joined in 2024, renewing for 2025-26.[63][64]
Three-year global deal; €1M seasonal revenue contribution.[61][62]
These deals generated reported revenues without established links to broader financial outcomes beyond disclosed figures.[62][59]
Facilities
Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia
The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, situated directly on the western shore of Lake Como, was constructed in 1927 under the architectural direction of Giovanni Greppi and initially included an athletics track encircled by a cycling velodrome.[65] Named after local rower Giuseppe Sinigaglia, the venue's lakeside position provides scenic views of the surrounding mountains but exposes it to prevailing winds and precipitation, potentially affecting match conditions and spectator comfort during inclement weather.[66] Following temporary seating reductions for safety compliance in prior years, the stadium's all-seater capacity stood at approximately 7,500 before 2024 interventions.[67]In preparation for Como 1907's 2024-25 Serie A return, renovations completed in early 2025 expanded capacity to 10,584 seats, incorporating upgrades to structural safety, lighting, and broadcasting infrastructure to satisfy league licensing criteria.[66] These modifications addressed prior limitations, such as outdated barriers and access points, enabling full utilization without the partial closures that hampered lower-division play.[68] The modest post-upgrade capacity, however, constrains home-field leverage in Serie A, where larger venues amplify crowd pressure on opponents; Como's smaller enclosure yields lower average decibel levels and revenue from ticket sales compared to peers like those hosting 30,000-plus.[69]Historical attendance records mirror the club's divisional fortunes, with peaks exceeding 16,000 during 1980s Serie A campaigns—such as 16,329 in 1985—contrasting sharp declines to under 2,000 in Serie C eras.[70] The 2024-25 season marked a resurgence, achieving 97.15% average occupancy amid promotion hype, though logistical strains from limited parking and proximity to urban traffic occasionally disrupt access.[71]Annual operational costs escalated post-renovation, with municipal usage fees rising from €95,800 to €205,910 to reflect enhanced facilities and maintenance demands like pitch irrigation and lakeside erosion control.[68] Primarily dedicated to Como 1907 matches, the stadium sees supplementary use for youth tournaments and community athletics, though its configuration prioritizes football over broader event hosting due to acoustic and spatial constraints.[72]
Stadium expansion and new project controversies
In February 2025, Como 1907, in collaboration with the Municipality of Como and architectural firm Populous, unveiled initial plans for the redevelopment of Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, aiming to expand its capacity beyond the current approximately 5,300 seats to over 10,000 while integrating commercial and community facilities along the lakeside.[73][66] The project, estimated to cost upwards of €200 million and phased for completion by August 2028, aligns with the Hartono family's long-term vision to establish the club as a sustainable Serie A entity through enhanced revenue streams from matchday attendance, hospitality, and ancillary developments.[25] Proponents, including club president Mirwan Suwarso and Mayor Alessandro Rapinese, argue it would modernize an aging venue built in 1927, boost local tourism, and generate economic benefits exceeding the investment via job creation and urban regeneration.[74][75]The initiative has sparked significant opposition, particularly from lakeside residents and heritage groups concerned about environmental disruption, increased traffic, noise pollution, and visual encroachment on Como's historic waterfront.[76][77] In March 2025, an open letter signed by 111 architects, intellectuals, and urban planners criticized the design's height and scale, urging relocation to preserve the site's cultural integrity and proposing alternatives like a less invasive expansion of the existing structure.[75] Resident protests intensified in spring 2025, with groups like Italia Nostra filing appeals to Italy's cultural superintendence over potential violations of landscape protection laws, while Codacons highlighted urban density risks in the constrained lakeside area.[78][79] A counter-petition garnered over 5,000 signatures in support by June 2025, reflecting fan enthusiasm for improved facilities amid Serie A requirements, yet local debates in Como's municipal council revealed divisions, with calls for scaled-back designs to mitigate impacts.[77]Empirically, the project's pros include projected annual revenue uplift from higher attendance—potentially doubling matchday income given current underutilization—and alignment with Serie A standards, as evidenced by similar European stadium upgrades yielding 20-30% commercial growth.[25] Cons, however, encompass verifiable community costs: traffic modeling suggests a 15-20% rise in peak-hour congestion on via Sinigaglia, exacerbating existing bottlenecks, alongside ecological strain on Lake Como's shoreline from construction runoff and heightened urbanization.[80] Legal hurdles persist, as a July 2025 conference of services mandated reductions in stadium height and footprint, delaying approvals and underscoring tensions between private investment ambitions and public heritage safeguards.[81] Critics, including former municipal officials, advocate for site-specific alternatives like modular expansions avoiding lakefront alterations, prioritizing causal trade-offs where short-term disruptions outweigh long-term gains absent robust mitigation.[82]
Supporters and culture
Fan demographics and attendance
The supporter base of Como 1907 remains rooted in Lombardy, with a core following drawn from the local Como province and surrounding areas, though the club's ascent to Serie A following the 2019 ownership transition to the Hartono Group's Djarum has diversified the demographics through targeted marketing and tourism integration. Foreign supporters now comprise roughly half of the fanbase, fueled by international celebrity endorsements and packages combining match tickets with Lake Como experiences, shifting from a predominantly regional profile to one increasingly reliant on transient visitors.[83] Approximately 40% of ticket sales derive from tourists, contributing to visitor numbers exceeding 4.8 million annually by 2024, a tripling from pre-pandemic levels.[25]Home attendance in the 2024–25 Serie A season averaged 10,524 spectators across 19 matches, totaling 199,960, with peaks such as 12,055 against Lazio on August 24, 2024.[69] Early in the 2025–26 campaign, through three fixtures as of late October, the average rose to 11,482, yet this trails Serie A peers significantly, where league-wide averages exceed 30,000 amid larger capacities and established fanbases.[69][84] The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia's limited 12,039 effective seating constrains potential, underscoring attendance growth tied to promotion and promotion rather than deep-seated loyalty expansion.Organized support centers on groups like Ultras Comaschi, the primary hardcore faction occupying the Curva Ferrovia, emphasizing traditional Lombard identity amid the club's evolving commercial appeal. Membership trends remain opaque without public disclosures, but the group's persistence contrasts with broader fan influxes, highlighting a divide between local ultras and marketing-driven attendees.[85]
Rivalries and derbies
The primary rivalry for Como 1907 is the Derby del Lario against Lecco, stemming from their shared proximity along Lake Como, with matches often contested in lower divisions such as Serie C and Serie D.[86] In 7 historical encounters, Lecco holds a slight edge with 3 wins to Como's 2, alongside 2 draws, averaging 2.57 goals per match.[87] These fixtures have seen competitive flare-ups, particularly during promotion battles in Serie C during the 2010s, though incidents of fan violence remain below the averages reported for high-profile Serie A derbies like the Milan Derby, where ultras clashes occur in over 20% of matches per Italian football federation data.[88]Como's contest with Monza, known as the Brianza Derby, originated in regional Serie B competitions and intensified after Monza's 1967 play-off victory over Como, which secured promotion for Monza at Como's expense.[89] Across 75 all-time meetings, the record is closely balanced with Como securing 26 wins, Monza 23, and 26 draws, reflecting sustained competition in Lombardy leagues.[90] Recent Serie A clashes, such as the 1-1 draw on November 30, 2024, underscore ongoing tension in relegation fights, with matches averaging 2.29 goals and fewer reported disturbances compared to Serie A norms.[91][92]Broader Lombardy rivalries include sporadic encounters with clubs like Cremonese, fueled by provincial competition rather than geographic immediacy, often erupting in intensity during lower-tier playoffs.[93] These derbies prioritize on-pitch rivalry over fan antagonism, with head-to-head data showing Como's historical edge in multi-game series against regional foes outside Monza and Lecco.[94]
Cultural representations and media
The documentary series Como 1907: The Real Story, released in 2021, details the operational and financial hurdles encountered by the club's new ownership group under Hartono and Thohir as they sought to restore competitiveness following bankruptcy in 2016.[95] A follow-up ITV Sport production, Cesc Fàbregas: The Manager, aired in December 2024 and examined Fàbregas's shift from player to head coach, capturing training sessions and strategic decisions during the 2024–25 Serie A campaign.[96] These works have elevated the club's profile internationally, emphasizing themes of revival and innovation amid Italy's competitive football landscape.[97]In July 2025, Como 1907 organized the inaugural Football on the Lake festival, held from July 23 to 27 along Lake Como's shores, which integrated pre-season matches via the Como Cup—featuring clubs from Italy, Scotland, and the Netherlands—with concerts, culinary events, and lifestyle activations to export the club's identity as a fusion of sport and regional heritage.[34] The event drew thousands, enhancing visibility by positioning Como as a cultural hub beyond matches, with programming that highlighted the lake's scenic allure alongside football demonstrations.[98]The club's branding exploits synergies with Lake Como's tourism draw, which attracts nearly five million visitors annually, by framing matches and events as extensions of the area's luxury appeal; as of October 2024, 40% of home game tickets were bought by non-local tourists through collaborations with Lake Como Tourism.[83][99] In May 2025, Como launched SENT Tourism, an in-house operator offering bespoke packages merging Serie A access, villa stays, and yacht excursions to monetize this linkage and boost off-field revenue streams.[100] Such initiatives have amplified media coverage in outlets like Sports Illustrated, portraying the club as a pioneer in soccer-linked experiential travel, though they reflect a deliberate pivot toward commercialization that prioritizes global branding over insular fan traditions.[85] In September 2025, a partnership with Teatro Sociale di Como further embedded the club in local arts, sponsoring productions to foster community ties and cultural depth.[101]
Current personnel
First-team squad
As of 26 October 2025, Como 1907's first-team squad for the 2025–26 Serie A season features a mix of experienced internationals and young talents, bolstered by summer signings including goalkeeper Noel Törnqvist from Mjällby AIF, forward Alberto Cerri, and midfielder Simone Verdi.[102] Key renewals include extensions for core players, though specific details on figures like Le Borgne remain unconfirmed in public records. Several players are currently sidelined by injuries, notably centre-back Alberto Dossena with a cruciate ligament tear expected to sideline him until late October or beyond, midfielder Sergi Roberto with a hamstring strain, and winger Jayden Addai with a muscle injury.[103] Loan statuses include left-back Álex Valle from FC Barcelona.[104]
Central midfielder, injured (hamstring strain).[103][108]
33
Lucas Da Cunha
Switzerland
2 March 2002 (23)
2027
€4m
Attacking midfielder.[104][105]
-
Simone Verdi
Italy
10 August 1992 (33)
2026
€1.5m
Attacking midfielder, summer signing.
-
Luca Mazzitelli
Italy
15 February 1995 (30)
2026
€2.5m
Central midfielder, summer signing.
Forwards
No.
Player
Nationality
Date of birth (age)
Contract expiry
Market value
Notes
7
Álvaro Morata
Spain
23 October 1992 (33)
2026
€10m
Striker, key signing.[106]
11
Anastasios Douvikas
Greece
2 August 1999 (26)
2027
€6m
Forward.[109][106]
17
Jesús Rodríguez
Spain
5 February 2006 (19)
Loan
€8m
Left winger, on loan from Real Betis.[104][109]
99
Alberto Cerri
Italy
16 July 1996 (29)
2026
€3m
Centre-forward, summer signing.[102][109]
-
Jayden Addai
Netherlands
26 January 2005 (20)
2027
€4m
Winger, injured (muscle).[103][108]
Coaching and technical staff
Cesc Fàbregas serves as head coach of Como 1907, having been appointed to the role on a four-year contract following the club's promotion to Serie A in May 2024.[110] His tactical approach emphasizes structured possession-based build-up play, achieving numerical superiority in central areas through relational positioning among midfielders and forwards, drawing influences from coaches like Roberto De Zerbi.[111] This philosophy has yielded early Serie A results in the 2025–26 season, including a 2–0 victory over Lazio on August 26, 2025, where Como maintained 58% possession and generated 14 shots via controlled transitions and overloads.[112]Assisting Fàbregas is Dani Guindos as assistant manager, responsible for training ground coordination and match preparation.[113] Goalkeeping coaching is handled by Enrico Malatesta and Luca Righi, focusing on distribution and shot-stopping drills aligned with the team's proactive style.[114] The fitness and athletic staff includes Andrea Castellani as athletic coach, Filippo Sassi as fitness coach, and Andrea Bernasconi as rehabilitation coach, supporting player conditioning for the demands of Serie A fixtures, with an emphasis on recovery protocols to sustain high-pressing phases observed in recent matches.[113]Carlalberto Ludi acts as sporting director, overseeing recruitment and squad integration to complement Fàbregas' tactics, such as bolstering central midfield depth for possession retention.[113] The coaching hierarchy reflects stability post-promotion, with minimal turnover since Fàbregas' installation, enabling adaptation to Serie A through consistent staff retention amid the club's €93.8 million net transfer spend in summer 2025.[113] This continuity has facilitated tactical implementation, as evidenced by Como's mid-table positioning and monthly coaching accolades for Fàbregas in the prior season.[115]
Historical personnel
Notable players
Antonio Cetti holds the record as Como 1907's all-time leading goalscorer, netting 91 goals in 278 appearances primarily as a midfielder and long-serving captain from the late 1920s through the 1940s.[9]Giancarlo Centi ranks among the club's most enduring players, accumulating over 350 appearances and 3 goals across two spells with Como in the late 1970s and 1980s, including 168 Serie A matches.[116][117]Swedish forward Dan Corneliusson, a 22-cap international who scored 12 goals for his country, set the benchmark for foreign players at Como with 133 appearances and 21 goals between 1984 and 1989, including 18 goals in 112 Serie A outings.[118][119]Defender Pietro Vierchowod launched his professional career at Como, featuring in 30 Serie A appearances with 2 goals and 8 clean sheets during the early 1980s before transferring to bigger clubs and earning 45 caps for Italy.[120]German midfielder Hansi Müller, a 1980 European Championship winner with 42 international caps, contributed to Como's midfield in the 1984-85 Serie A season with 17 appearances and 2 goals.[121]
Managerial history
Como 1907's managerial history reflects the club's fluctuating fortunes, with tenures often curtailed by poor results and relegations, particularly during periods of financial strain. Early coaches, such as Hugo Lamanna, who served from July 1953 to June 1960, represented the longest continuous spell, overseeing consolidation in Serie B amid modest resources.[122] Subsequent decades saw frequent turnovers, with figures like Eugenio Bersellini (1971–1973) and Tarcisio Burgnich (multiple spells in the 1980s) providing brief stability but failing to prevent decline from Serie A after peaks in the late 1970s and early 1980s.[122][123]The 1970s marked a high point under Giuseppe Marchioro, whose two tenures (1973–1975 and 1978–1982) engineered promotions to Serie A in the 1974–75 and 1979–80 seasons through disciplined tactics and emerging talents like Marco Tardelli, achieving win rates above 40% in key campaigns.[122][123] Sackings, such as those of Osvaldo Bagnoli in 1977 and Rino Marchesi in 1989 amid relegation battles, underscored a pattern where coaches were dismissed after failing to sustain top-flight status, often due to inadequate squad depth rather than tactical failings alone.[122] By the 1990s and 2000s, rapid changes—like Loris Dominissini's 2000–2002 stint yielding a 2001–02 Serie A promotion followed by immediate relegation—highlighted vulnerability to ownership instability and budget constraints.[122]
Manager
Tenure
Key Achievement/Outcome
Notes on Departure
Giuseppe Marchioro
1973–1975, 1978–1982
Promotions to Serie A (1975, 1980)
Left after mid-table finishes; stability tied to club investment
Loris Dominissini
2000–2002
Serie A promotion (2002)
Sacked post-relegation; short-term success undone by finances
Giacomo Gattuso
Dec 2020–Sep 2022
Serie C promotion (2022)
Resigned amid board tensions; part of post-refounding ascent
Moreno Longo
Sep 2022–Nov 2023
Serie B consolidation
Dismissed after poor start; replaced amid promotion push
Osian Roberts
Dec 2023–Jun 2024
Serie A promotion (2024)
Contract end; foreign hire reflecting ownership strategy
Post-2019 acquisition by Hartono family interests, managerial appointments shifted toward foreigners like Welsh coach Osian Roberts (December 2023–June 2024), who secured Serie A promotion via playoffs, and Spaniard Cesc Fàbregas, interim in November–December 2023 before a full appointment in July 2024.[123][122] These successes stemmed primarily from elevated budgets enabling player acquisitions—over €20 million in transfers by 2024—rather than innovative coaching alone, as evidenced by prior domestic managers' struggles in lower divisions despite tactical familiarity.[7][8] Frequent earlier sackings, averaging under two years per coach from the 1980s onward, contrast with this era's relative continuity, driven by ownership patience amid rising revenues from global branding.[122]
Achievements and records
League titles and promotions
Como 1907 has achieved promotion to Serie A on three occasions, most recently in the 2023–24 season by finishing second in Serie B with 73 points from 21 wins, 10 draws, and 7 losses, securing automatic promotion alongside champions Parma.[124][125] Earlier promotions came via Serie B titles in 1948–49, after three seasons of contending for the top spot post-World War II, and in 1979–80 under coach Eugenio Bersellini, marking the club's return to the top flight after a decade in the second tier.[3][12] The club has never won Serie A, with its best finishes including fourth place in 1980–81 and several mid-table positions during spells in the 1950s and 1980s, but no title challenges.[126]In Serie C (and its predecessors), Como has secured four league titles, often through direct championship wins leading to promotion. The first came in 1930–31, when the team, coached by Gedeon Lukács, won the Prima Divisione (third tier) unbeaten to earn elevation to Serie B.[3] Subsequent successes included the 1967–68 Serie C title, promoting the club back to Serie B after four years in the third division; the 1978–79 Serie C1 Girone A championship under coach Paolo Marchioro, which propelled consecutive promotions culminating in Serie A; and the 2020–21 Serie C Girone A title, clinched with a dominant campaign that restored the club to Serie B after rebuilding from Serie D.[5][20]
Year
Division
Achievement
Notes
1930–31
Prima Divisione
Champions (unbeaten)
Promoted to Serie B[3]
1967–68
Serie C
Champions
Promoted to Serie B (historical context verified via official records)
1978–79
Serie C1 Girone A
Champions
Promoted to Serie B, led to 1979–80 Serie B title[5][12]
2020–21
Serie C Girone A
Champions
Promoted to Serie B[5][20]
1948–49
Serie B
Champions
Promoted to Serie A[3]
1979–80
Serie B
Champions
Promoted to Serie A[5][12]
2023–24
Serie B
Runners-up (73 points)
Automatic promotion to Serie A[124][125]
These achievements reflect Como's intermittent rises through Italy's pyramid, often via playoff paths or tight finishes in lower divisions, though the club has experienced multiple bankruptcies and restarts that interrupted sustained success.[126]
Cup competitions
Como's participation in the Coppa Italia has been limited and sporadic, with the club entering the competition primarily during spells in Serie A and Serie B. The deepest run occurred in the 1985–86 edition, when Como advanced to the semi-finals after notable victories, including a 1–0 first-leg win over Juventus in the quarter-finals featuring Michel Platini.[127] Como was eliminated in the semi-finals by Sampdoria, drawing 1–1 in the first leg before losing 0–2 in the return leg at home, which was marred by crowd incidents leading to a temporary suspension and eventual forfeit validation by sporting judges.[128] Earlier participations in the 1920s and 1930s yielded quarter-final appearances, but these were constrained by the tournament's regional format and Como's lower-division status at the time, with eliminations typically due to defeats against stronger northern sides.[129]In the post-World War II era, Como's Coppa Italia campaigns remained modest, often ending in early rounds during Serie A stints in the 1940s and 1980s, with aggregate records showing few wins and frequent goals conceded to higher-caliber opponents. For instance, in the 1980s, defensive vulnerabilities contributed to exits against teams like Milan and Inter, reflecting Como's mid-table league form. Modern entries since promotion to Serie A in 2024 have been brief, with a 3–0 third-round win over Sassuolo in September 2025 advancing to the round of 16, but historical patterns suggest limited progression beyond initial stages due to squad depth limitations compared to elite clubs.[130]Como has fared better in lower-tier national cups, winning the Coppa Italia Serie C (now Lega Pro) in the 1996–97 season during a third-division campaign, defeating opponents in a knockout format that highlighted set-piece efficiency and home advantage at Stadio Sinigaglia. Additionally, in 2007–08, while in Serie D following bankruptcy, Como claimed the Coppa Italia Serie D title with a 3–1 aggregate victory over Colligiana in the final, aiding morale during reconstruction.[131] Regional cups include the 1927 Coppa Volta, won after a 3–0 semi-final upset over Inter, though such pre-Serie A tournaments lacked national standardization and involved primarily Lombardy clubs.[5]International minor competitions saw Como participate in the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1973 as a Serie B side, but the club exited early without notable success, conceding heavily in matches against English counterparts amid the tournament's irregular format for second-tier teams. No major cup titles have been secured, underscoring Como's historical emphasis on league survival over knockout prowess.[132]
Statistical records and divisional movements
Como 1907 has participated in 22 seasons of Serie A, 47 seasons of Serie B, 35 seasons of Serie C1 (equivalent to modern Lega Pro Prima Divisione), 1 season of Serie C2, and 2 seasons of Serie D across its professional history from the 1930s onward.[10] The club's divisional movements reflect periods of ascent tied to competitive success and financial backing, interspersed with descents following bankruptcies and administrative challenges; for instance, exclusion from Serie B in 2016 due to insolvency prompted a restart in Serie D, from which rapid promotions followed under new ownership starting in 2019.[3] Key upward shifts include an undefeated promotion to Serie B in 1931, Serie A entry in the 1940s, Serie B title in 1975 leading to top-flight play through the 1980s, a brief Serie A stint in 2002–03, and the latest ascent from Serie D to Serie A between 2018 and 2024 via consecutive titles in lower tiers.[3][10]
Division
Total Seasons
Notable Periods
Serie A
22
1940s (peaking at 6th in 1947); 1976–87; 2002–03; 2024–present[3][10]
Serie B
47
1931–40s; 1950s–60s; 1975 title; 2015–16 and 2021–24[3][10]
Serie C1/Lega Pro
35
1990s; 2003–09; 2016–21 (title in 2020–21)[3][10]
Serie C2/Lega Pro 2
1
2008–09[10]
Serie D
2
2017–19 (title in 2018–19)[3][10]
Statistical records include a 4–0 home victory over US Cremonese on 1 January 1967 in Serie C as the largest margin in documented matches, alongside heavier defeats such as losses to SSC Napoli in 1950 and 1952.[133] The highest home attendance reached 80,402 for a Serie A fixture against Napoli on 5 October 1975, with recent figures like 74,500 against AC Milan on 15 March 2025 reflecting renewed interest post-promotion.[133] An unbeaten run in the 1930–31 Prima Divisione season underpinned promotion to Serie B, marking an early benchmark in defensive solidity and scoring efficiency.[3] Financial downturns have correlated with extended lower-tier stays and resets, while influxes of capital—such as from 2019 onward—facilitated swift recoveries through Serie D and C triumphs, underscoring causation between resource availability and competitive tier stability.[3][10]