The Italian side's rapid rise has brought one of English football's biggest clubs to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, a fixture that would have seemed unimaginable just a few seasons ago.
“They are a fantastic team. Just three years ago, when we were playing in Serie B, it would have been unthinkable that Manchester United could come to Sinigaglia. But on Wednesday, that is exactly what will happen.
“For us, it is a dream come true, and we will take our chance,” Fàbregas told ESPN.
Como secured promotion to Serie A in 2024 and have continued to progress under the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder. After finishing tenth in his first season in charge, Fàbregas guided the club to fourth place last season, earning Como a place in the Champions League for the first time.
The meeting with United represents another milestone, but Fàbregas is keen to ensure that the occasion does not distract his players from their domestic responsibilities.
“Preparing for these fantastic matches is wonderful, but we must never forget that Serie A is the most important thing for us. For us, every day is an important step in our development,” he said.
“We are a new club — not in terms of our history, but because we started from zero three years ago. That is why we have to be careful about how we manage a range of different situations.”
Fàbregas has repeatedly emphasised the importance of keeping Como's progress in perspective. Their rise has been rapid, but the club is still building the structures and experience needed to compete consistently at the highest level.
The former Spain international, who made 104 Champions League appearances during his playing career, knows the demands of the competition. He also understands the significance of welcoming a club with United's history to Como.
For the home side, the challenge is to enjoy the occasion without losing sight of what has brought them this far. Their place in Europe's premier club competition is a reward for their recent progress, but Fàbregas wants his team to approach the match with ambition rather than simply treating it as a celebration.
Como have already collected a win and a draw in the competition, giving them a foundation to build on as they face a more high-profile opponent.
The match will offer a measure of how far they have come since their time in Serie B, while also presenting an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition.
Fàbregas is proud of the journey, but his message is clear: the occasion matters, and so does the result. Como intend to embrace the moment while continuing to build a club capable of competing at this level.