The squad invaded the room, an inflatable trophy appeared, the Champions League anthem erupted from a speaker, and what had been a formal debrief became a moment the club will never forget.
"A great emotion," Fábregas said, before being drenched with water. "This is a very important achievement. We are all happy. We can't quite believe that tomorrow morning we'll wake up and think: 'Are we really in the Champions League?' This is an important story — for Como, for the people, for me as a manager and leader of this squad."
Como qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club's 120-year history, finishing fourth in Serie A after goals from Jesús Rodríguez, Anastasios Douvikas and a Lucas Da Cunha brace defeated a Cremonese side that was simultaneously relegated to Serie B. The result was enough only because AC Milan collapsed at home to Cagliari, losing 2-1 despite leading in the second minute.
Fábregas had spent much of the season under scrutiny. Como's style — young, attacking, relentless — drew admiration and criticism in equal measure. He chose to address it directly after qualification was confirmed.
"This is a real family. One that tells each other the truth, that wants to improve. This is genuine pride. And this is coming from someone who has won a World Cup."
He pointed to the nature of the final day as evidence of how close margins can be in football: "Winning and losing is a very fine line. But it is true that when you have the best players in the world, you are always the favourite. And Como at the start of the season..."
He did not finish the sentence. He did not need to.
Como's final position is fourth in Serie A — their highest ever finish. They will play Champions League football for the first time in their history next season.