In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Como defender Jacopo Ramon discussed the team's qualification for the Champions League, the Serie A title race, his growth in Italy, and his dream of joining the Spanish senior national team.

Let's go back to September 2024. You had just arrived at Como, and 12 months later, you're playing in the Champions League…

"Como's project was clearly ambitious," Ramon said. "We had high expectations, but maybe we didn't expect to reach the Champions League. It's been an amazing journey with a great ending. We're a strong team and we deserve all of this."

Let's talk about you. You had barely played any games back then, but now you're a regular starter.

"Fàbregas called me then and expressed his full confidence in me," Ramon said. "But honestly, I didn't expect to play so many games so quickly. I've improved and grown a lot."

A year ago, based on your initial impressions, you told me that Serie A seemed more physical than LaLiga. What do you think now?

"The new rules have greatly improved the game and are very good for football because the pace has become more rhythmic," Ramon said. "We get much more tired playing, but it's good for the fans: there are no 0-0 draws currently, more goals, and football is more attacking, exciting, and entertaining. For example, last season we had many clean sheets, but we haven't managed that this season because there's more attacking and defending on the pitch."

The competition in Serie A is also fierce.

"That's true," Ramon said. "LaLiga has many good teams, but usually Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid are the ones competing for the title. In Serie A, there are six or seven teams in the title race, and if you include Como, that makes eight. I think everyone will drop quite a few points during the season."

You lost away to Frosinone…

"They are a very intense team," Ramon said. "The coach told us before the game that it would be one of the five toughest away games of the season, and he was right. Our concentration and intensity weren't at our usual level, and they made us suffer: their wingers and forwards are very skilled, and their goalkeeper was in great form. It was a well-fought match. It was our first loss, but it's fine—the season is still long."

After the international break, Como will face Roma.

"That will be a great game," Ramon said. "Roma are very strong and will also be competing for the league title."

Is Inter Milan the biggest favorite to win the title?

"They won the title comfortably a year ago, then strengthened their squad well, and have had a good start to this season," Ramon said. "However, we will try to make it difficult for them."

What about Como?

"We're not thinking about that right now," Ramon said. "The season has just started. We'll try to win every game and see where we are at the end of the season. One step at a time."

And the Champions League?

"It's wonderful to play in the Champions League," Ramon said. "We are very eager to participate in this competition, and you could see that in our first match against Leipzig: we went into the game with a very strong fighting spirit, and the match went very well. But again, there are eight games in the Champions League league phase, and we've only played one. We'll see how the other games go."

What do you think of Fàbregas? Is he someone who breaks with Italian football tradition?

"I wouldn't say that," Ramon said. "No one can please everyone—that's life. Cesc loves Italy very much and deeply appreciates Italian football. He wants to promote Serie A's development and encourage teams to play more attractive and exciting football. He tries to use different methods to make Italian football more visible to more people. The Roma versus Inter Milan match was excellent, and that's the direction to go."

You wear the Spanish national team jersey with two stars. Where did you watch the World Cup?

"I was near Valencia, by the sea in Gandia, watching the game with friends in a bar," Ramon said. "We celebrated well."

Now you also have the potential to join this excellent team.

"That's my dream," Ramon said. "I work hard every day, hoping to join the Spanish senior national team. The problem is, we're talking about the best team in the world, and the competition is very fierce."

And the team is also very young. You're 21, and the Spanish team has even younger players like Cubarsí and Dean Huijsen in your position, which is uncommon.

"People often say age is just a number, and that's certainly true in the Spanish team," Ramon said. "As long as you play well, you get to play. Your age doesn't matter."

Como is also helping you achieve this dream.

"Absolutely," Ramon said. "We've made a name for ourselves with our results and playing style, so more people are paying attention to us. It's a great showcase."

But there aren't many Italian players on this showcase stage.

"The squad isn't my decision, but there are more Italian players this year," Ramon said. "Samuele Ricci and Moise Kean, who were called up to the Italian senior national team, have arrived, and Mattia Liberali, who was called up to the U21 team. The numbers will slowly increase."

You live in Italy. What do you think about the Italian national team's current difficulties?

"This surprises me because Italy has many excellent players," Ramon said. "Honestly, I can't explain why they struggle when they join the national team. Look at the lineup against Belgium—there are so many talented players. I don't know what to say, but frankly, I think you can rest assured: the future of Italian football is in good hands, and you will become strong again."

I hope you're right, and thank you. Meanwhile, both the Spanish men's and women's national teams are champions across all categories. What's the secret?

"Spain's youth development is excellent," Ramon said. "Children learn to play with clear ideas from a young age, and there's a strong focus on technique. This isn't the result of short-term work but rather years of continuous building, and now results are showing at all levels. In our U21 team, 18 and 19-year-old players come in and don't feel out of place; they're already ready."

What are the goals for the Spanish U21 team?

"First, to qualify for next summer's U21 European Championship, and once we're there, to aim for a podium finish and secure Olympic qualification," Ramon said.

What has playing abroad brought you?

"It changed my mindset," Ramon said. "I used to live in Madrid with my parents. I had to step out of my comfort zone, which was good for me. I've matured and adjusted some daily habits. I'm doing very well now."

Have you started cooking for yourself?

"Sort of… my mom moved in with me…"

That doesn't count! Has she adapted to Italian cuisine, just as you've adapted to Italian football?

"She's adapted quite well," Ramon said. "She makes a little pasta and likes pesto. We're making progress."

It seems you're putting down roots in Italy. Let's talk about the future. Nico Paz stayed at Como. What will you choose? Real Madrid always has a buy-back clause…

"I'll only say one thing, and I'm absolutely certain about it: I'm very happy at Como," Ramon said. "The season has just started, and I'm not thinking about anything else. We need to have an excellent season, and that's it."

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