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Como president hoping to draw Man United and Real Madrid in Champions League

·By Paul Lindisfarne
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Como president hoping to draw Man United and Real Madrid in Champions League

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Como president Mirwan Suwarso has insisted the club will play their UEFA Champions League home matches at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia — dismissing scepticism about the ground's capacity and infrastructure.

He also declared his ambition to face Real Madrid or Manchester United on the shores of Lake Como.

Suwarso was speaking at the Festival della Serie A in Parma, where he was asked about the club's approach to Europe's elite competition ahead of their historic debut next season — the first Champions League campaign in the club's history.

On their likely approach to each match, he was characteristically direct about head coach Cesc Fàbregas's competitive DNA.

"I have no idea, we will see together. I know that Cesc, the way he thinks and works, will arrive at every match with the idea of winning. When we played against Barcelona, we tried to attack — we lost 5-0, but we learned a lot."

On his dream draw from the group-stage pot, he was equally candid.

"All opponents would be beautiful, but having Manchester United or Real Madrid in Como would be fantastic."

The stadium question is the most contentious. The Sinigaglia holds approximately 13,000 spectators and is considered by many observers to fall short of UEFA's requirements for the Champions League group stage. Suwarso was unbothered by the scepticism.

"Many people thought there would be no chance — I believe we will play the Champions League matches at the Sinigaglia."

Como secured Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in Serie A.