Mattia Liberali needed just 32 minutes of his first Serie A start to show why Cesc Fàbregas believes he belongs at Como.
The 19-year-old Italian opened the scoring against Fiorentina with a composed left-footed finish from the edge of the penalty area, beating David de Gea and setting Como on their way to a 3–1 victory at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Nico Paz doubled the lead four minutes later, before Tasos Douvikas completed the win in the second half.
For Liberali, the goal marked another important step in a career that has moved quickly. Developed in AC Milan’s academy and strengthened by a season at Catanzaro, he arrived at Como with considerable promise but still had to earn his place in a team competing at Champions League level.
Fàbregas gave him that opportunity in Florence, starting him alongside Nico Paz in an attack built around technical quality and movement. Their understanding was evident throughout the match. Speaking to DAZN afterwards, Liberali explained that playing alongside Paz gives him greater freedom, while the confidence shown by the coaching staff has helped him settle into the team.
His first Serie A goal arrives at an important stage of his development, with Liberali also having earned his first Italy Under-21 call-up in September. For a player long regarded as one of Italy’s promising young attacking talents, the challenge is now to turn that potential into a sustained role at the highest level.
Against Fiorentina, Liberali gave Fàbregas another compelling reason to trust him.
