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Now, onto today's issue.

Como outplayed Juventus, Atalanta, and AC Milan in three of their five most recent matches but have nothing to show for it. They lost each of those contests 2-1 by way of goals conceded after the 70th minute.

Cesc Fabregas rounded up his players after the defeat to Atalanta to remind them that they had at least showed something.

"We dominated them! We dominated them! Keep going like this because this is only the beginning," he exclaimed as he looked each of his players in the eye.

He was right. Como played with a high level of intensity and fearlessness that deserved a better reward. They had the courage to go full tilt against quality opposition and only lost because of a few minor details. Como are tied for fourth in total shots, in fifth in key passes, and in sixth in dribbles attempted. If they converted all of the goals they were expected to score, they'd be in the top half of the table. The only problem is that their efforts have fallen short. They're in 16th place and only two points clear of the relegation zone.

Friday's 2-1 result against Juventus was perhaps the harshest of all. Como outshot the Bianconeri 16-8, controlled the majority of possession, and limited their opponents to just three shots on target. But Juventus' January signing, Randal Kolo Muani, decided the game, scoring off a tight angle and an unfortunate late penalty caused by an aerial collision. Fabregas felt the referee also missed a clear penalty in Como's favour when Juventus defender Federico Gatti appeared to handle the ball in the area.

Luck certainly has something to do with it. But Como's game plan — designed to press high, keep the ball, and take on defenders at every opportunity — is a risky one to follow for a team on a survival mission. It's fun to watch, and endearing to the neutral observer, but it doesn't guarantee results. And Como need results.

But no one thinks of Como — either the city or club — and expects the basics. This is a place of luxury and excess. The football mirrors the image Lake Como extends to the world. It's beautiful, it's fun, and it's entertaining. It's why celebrities flock to the place and stop by to watch Como. They've run a €93-million deficit in the last two transfer windows to find the players who can execute exciting, fast-paced football.

At the same time, they absolutely must stay in Serie A. Relegation would kill the club's momentum and compromise its global appeal. They could take risks now but pay for them later.

Recent seasons have shown that the spoils don't always go to the bravest. Roberto De Zerbi's Benevento went down in 2018 despite charming everyone with their gung-ho press and passing sequences. They too blamed "malignant" forces for their bad luck. Then Fabio Liverani's high-scoring Lecce were relegated in 2020. They scored 52 goals but allowed 85.

Neither coach compromised their commitment to attacking football, and neither side stayed in Serie A.