Como coach Cesc Fabregas defended Argentine midfielder Nico Paz on Sunday after he missed a stoppage-time penalty against Atalanta (0-0). Fabregas insisted the crucial thing is that Paz always "tries to make a difference."

"It's important to send a positive and encouraging message to young players. If we want to crucify them for a penalty, I'm not that person. This is part of football. I've missed penalties myself; I've seen Messi miss, and John Terry in a Champions League final – those really hurt," he told 'DAZN' after the match.

He added: "This is part of the journey. He'll go home thinking he's bad, because he'll feel that way... but we don't see it like that. We are very united, both with Nico and with all the young players who have the courage to try and make a difference. He always tries. And that's the important thing. A champion must lift their head when something hasn't gone well."

Paz missed his third penalty for Como, and his second of the season. Despite the error from the spot by their key player, Como failed to defeat an Atalanta side missing Nigerian international Ademola Lookman, who is reportedly close to joining Atletico Madrid, and who played with ten men from the eighth minute.

"The ball just didn't want to go in. That's also part of football. Congratulations to Atalanta because they played their game. We created 29 clear chances. It hurts, but that's how it is," Fabregas reflected.

Nico Paz

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