CESC FABREGAS BLASTS MORATA AFTER SHOCKING TWO-MINUTE RED CARD AGAINST FIORENTINA
Cesc Fabregas tells Alvaro Morata to "change careers" after a red card vs Fiorentina. Read the full Como vs Fiorentina report here.
Cesc Fabregas didn’t hold back after Como’s 2-1 loss to Fiorentina on Saturday, firing a scathing shot at striker Alvaro Morata. Morata, brought on as a sub in the second half, completely lost the plot, getting two yellow cards in as many minutes, and suddenly, Como were down a man, chasing a game they just couldn’t save. Fabregas, furious after the final whistle, went as far as to say Morata should “change careers.”
Morata’s night really went off the rails. He came on in the 57th minute; Como were already 2-0 down at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. With so much at stake, the pressure was on. Como needed points for a shot at Europe, and Fiorentina was fighting to stay up. Fabiano Parisi’s own goal cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 77th minute, so Como had hope. But then Morata lost his cool. First, he argued himself into a yellow in the 88th. Then, just a minute later, he headbutted Luca Ranieri off the ball. Ranieri went down, and Morata got his second yellow. Off he went, leaving his team hanging in the dying moments.
Fabregas, who knows Morata well from their Chelsea days, couldn’t believe what he saw. He ripped into him in front of reporters: “Provocation is part of football. If you can’t handle it, you need to find another job. He’s experienced; I expect more from him. The line between winning and losing is razor-thin. I don’t want excuses. We need to play our game, not worry about what others are saying.”
Fabregas was also frustrated with the whole team. “I’m annoyed I couldn’t get the message across about how important this match was. I shared my experience all week, maybe too much, but it wasn’t enough. We’re a young team. The second half barely felt like football. Still, you have to show the right energy and focus. I feel bad as a coach that I couldn’t get this through to them. Maybe the problem was in our heads. Our attitude was wrong. We’ve got to want it more. The first half wasn’t great; the second half, honestly, didn’t even feel like football.”
Morata’s really been struggling since landing in Como on loan from AC Milan. He’s bounced around Europe, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Atletico, now Milan and Como, but never truly settled anywhere. That big £70 million move to Chelsea didn’t work out: 24 goals and six assists in 72 games, and then he was gone. At Como, he’s barely played, with just one goal and two assists in 18 matches, mostly playing backup to Tasos Douvikas. Now, with his latest red card mess, he’s not making life any easier for himself. Fabregas’s criticism stings, but he’s not wrong. Morata should be leading by example at this point in his career.
Things aren’t much better for Morata with Spain. Luis de la Fuente dropped him from the national team last October for the first time since 2018. That’s a big deal, especially for a player who captained Spain to Euro glory in 2024. Missing out on the World Cup squad this summer in the US, Canada, and Mexico would be huge news. If Morata wants back in, he needs to sort himself out at Como and get back on track. Off the pitch, it’s been tough too; he just split from his wife, Alice Campello. Right now, nothing’s going Morata’s way, and time’s running out for him to turn things around.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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