Fabregas says Como still adapting after Champions League setback as Diao ruled out 2-3 weeks

Como coach stresses adaptation phase before Fiorentina trip

Cesc Fabregas has warned that this season is "a new experience for everybody" at Como as the Serie A side prepare to face Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday, 14:00 UK time / 15:00 CEST.

The Lariani have stuttered with the added pressures of playing in the Champions League, taking one point from their last two Serie A matches and suffering a 3-2 European defeat away to Feyenoord in their first ever Champions League loss.

Fabregas was candid about the learning curve the club is facing.

"We are well aware that this season is a new experience for everybody. We are in a period of adaptation that we had very clear in our minds before the campaign kicked off. We are slowly getting the hang of this schedule, the important thing is not how we start the season, but how we finish it."

The coach also previewed the trip to Florence.

"I expect a wonderful match against an historic club like Fiorentina. Paolo Vanoli is an excellent coach and has a strong squad at his disposal, they are getting better with each game that goes by. It is always a difficult and interesting game to prepare in Florence."

Injury update: Diao out, Kean still recovering

Diao opened the scoring against Feyenoord before limping off injured, while Moise Kean did not make the trip to the Netherlands after a knee injury on international duty with Italy.

Fabregas provided the latest on both forwards ahead of the Fiorentina clash.

"We still need a week or 10 days for Moise to fully recovery. Assane had a little muscular injury that is hard to evaluate, they tell me two to three weeks,"

The Como boss added: "I hope to recover him in time for Inter, otherwise it’ll be after the break for international duty."

Fabregas said the club remain focused on the domestic campaign despite the Champions League setback, with the Fiorentina fixture seen as the immediate priority.