Como faces unexpected challenge in UEFA Champions League squad registration
Como, the Serie A newcomer with its youngest squad in the league, finds itself navigating a unique hurdle ahead of its historic debut in the UEFA Champions League. The club may be restricted to fielding only 16 or 17 players on matchday, all due to UEFA’s strict squad registration rules. The issue stems from the club’s limited number of locally trained players, a requirement tied to UEFA’s article 31.
Regulation limits Como’s Champions League ambitions
The UEFA regulation allows clubs to register up to 17 non-locally trained players in their squad list A. The remaining eight spots must be filled by players developed within the club’s national football association— in this case, Italy. For Como, a club that has aggressively pursued international talent under manager Cesc Fàbregas, this rule poses a significant challenge. Fàbregas, who took charge in November 2023, has emphasized the need to develop homegrown talent, but such a process requires years to yield top-level players.
In a recent press conference, the Spanish coach highlighted the club’s infrastructure gap: « The UEFA rules limit our options. Without a fully operational academy that meets competition standards, we’re forced to rely on a reduced squad of 16 or 17 players for Champions League matches. It’s a long-term investment—we can’t build a competitive team in two or three years. »
Transfer window brings limited relief
This summer, Como made five signings, but only one—Italian striker Mattia Liberali, who joined from Catanzaro for €6 million—meets the locally trained criteria. While the technical staff is reassessing recruitment priorities before the transfer window closes, the club’s future in Europe may hinge on an unexpected source: its youth team.
Rising talents like midfielder Riccardo Cassano, already called up to first-team matches last season, have caught the attention of scouts. His development could provide a lifeline if Como is forced to field a smaller squad in the Champions League. The club’s youth academy, boasting one of the youngest average squad ages in Serie A (26 years), may soon become its greatest asset in overcoming this regulatory challenge.
