AS 1907 MEDIUM
CEO of Como 1907 introduces Thierry Henry (right) as the newest minority shareholder and brand ambassador for the club in Como, Italy, Monday (29/8/2022). Como succeeded in promotion to the highest caste of the Italian League, namely Serie A, in the 2024/2025 season.
Como 1907, a club owned by a business group from Indonesia, Djarum, managed to penetrate the Italian Serie A League after the results of the last Serie B match ended dramatically, Saturday (11/5/2024) early morning WIB. This certainty was obtained after Como achieved a 1-1 draw against Cosenza, while their closest competitor, Venezia, lost 1-2 to Spezia.
Parma won Serie B with 76 points, while Como, who had 73 points, was in second place in the standings. The top two Serie B teams have the right to get automatic tickets to Serie A. Meanwhile, Venice, which is in third place, must undergo a playoff match, followed by teams in third to eighth place, to win the remaining promotion ticket.
We will enjoy tonight because we deserve it.
In the deciding match, Como fans at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia were shocked by Gennaro Tutino’s goal which put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute. Como striker Simone Verdi then scored from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time to take Lariani to Serie A.
“We will enjoy tonight because we deserve it,” Verdi told Sky Sport Italia.
Also read: Como 1907, the realization of the Djarum Group’s ambitions in football
Before their success story since being held by the Djarum Group, Como experienced bankruptcy several times and slipped from the highest caste of the Italian football competition. Two Arsenal legends, Cesc Fabregas – who is also an assistant coach – and Thierry Henry, are minority shareholders in the club.
KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO
Arsenal football star Cesc Fabregas at a press conference in Jakarta, Wednesday (22/6/2011). Fabregas is now the assistant coach of Como, who have just been promoted to Serie A.
Having played in Serie A in the 2002/2003 season, Como’s fate actually worsened. They immediately fell into the brink of relegation, and even went bankrupt in 2004. Because there were no investors to save the club, Calcio Como SpA was liquidated.
Also read: Second Star Falls into Inter Milan’s Arms
Thanks to the regulations of the Italian football federation, FIGC, a new entity called Calcio Como SrI was then allowed to take part in the Serie D competition. According to the club’s website, Como then played six seasons in Serie C from 2009 to 2015.
They managed to get promoted to Serie B but were then relegated again, followed by financial problems which made them go bankrupt again. This requires the club to be put up for auction. Akosua Puni Essien, wife of former Chelsea and Persib Bandung player, Michael Essien, won the auction and changed the club’s name to FC Como. However, the FIGC refused FC Como to compete in Serie C, so another name, Como 1907, was registered to participate in the Serie D competition.
COMO1907 ACCOUNT SCREENSHOT
Screenshot of Como1907’s official account
In 2019, Como 1907 was taken over by the Djarum Group, a business group run by the Hartono brothers. This business group with a value of billions of US dollars provides financial stability to Como. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimates that Budi Hartono’s wealth reaches 21.7 billion US dollars, while his brother, Michael, reaches 20.2 billion US dollars.
According to The Athletic, Djarum spent 850,000 euros (Rp. 14 billion) and paid a debt of 150,000 euros (Rp. 2.6 billion) to take over Como, which was then promoted to Serie C. Hartono’s name is not the first from Indonesia to be involved in club ownership in the League. Italy. Previously, Erick Thohir owned Inter Milan before selling it in 2016.
Also read: Proof of the Best “Chef” from the City of Milan
Under Djarum’s ownership, Como quickly climbed the promotion ladder. Djarum’s ambition to bring Como to the top was seen when they brought in Fabregas as a player, and then assistant coach Osian Roberts.
In the 2020/2021 season, Como was immediately promoted to Serie B after winning Serie C. The club’s momentum continued in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons in Serie B. Finally, the club’s efforts to reach the highest caste of Italian football competition were achieved this season. (AFP)