Inter Milan will want to make their presence felt in the Serie A title race as they could go top with a win over Como at the weekend.
The Serie A title race seems poised at the moment, with only a point separating Inter Milan from leaders AC Milan ahead of the game against Como this weekend. It is a close race at the moment, as every team in the current top four must win their games or else risk losing momentum in the chase.
Inter Milan crushed Venezia in the Coppa Italia; the Nerazzurri were more concerned about last weekend’s clash with Pisa. Skipper Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Inter Milan kept pace with leaders AC Milan, and they would want to repeat the trick at the weekend as they take on the tricky Como.
Meanwhile, over at Como, Cesc Fabregas is doing wonders with this work at the club and has justified the hierarchy’s decision to spend big in the summer. They are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run, and angling for a top-four place.
As things stand, Como are only three points away from a top-four place, which does give Cesc Fabregas the onus to perform well away from home at San Siro. They also boast a good few results against Inter Milan, after registering a draw and winning on home soil last season.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Cristian Chivu managed to rotate his squad during midweek, which enabled the Inter Milan manager to keep his key stars fresh for the crucial game against Como.
Hence, the Nerazzurri should have their strongest eleven on the pitch at the weekend, with Nicolo Barella, Yann Sommer, and Hakan Calhanoglu all expected to start. So, Andy Diouf, Davide Frattesi, and Stefan de Vrij should all see their places on the bench. As for the attack, Marcus Thuram should partner with Lautaro Martinez up front.
Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian are sidelined with injuries at the moment, meaning Carlos Augusto and Federico Dimarco should be the players to cover the wing-back roles. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also expected to start in midfield alongside Barella and Calhanoglu.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Augusto, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Como
Cesc Fabregas has a few selection decisions to make, especially now that key star Assane Diao has regained full fitness. The Inter Milan trip might come too soon for the attacker to start this one, but he could be a solid option off the bench for the final part of the game if needed.
Ivan Smolcic is also back from serving a one-game suspension, but it remains to be seen whether he gets a starting berth. Maximo Perrone and Maxence Caqueret are the preferred options to start in the Como midfield.
Key man Nico Paz, with five goals to his name, will occupy the attacking midfield role in the setup. He will have Jayden Addai and Jesus Rodriguez on either side of the wings, with Tasos Douvikas likely to be preferred ahead of the experienced Alvaro Morata.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Carlos, Moreno; Perrone, Caqueret; Addai, Paz, Rodriguez; Douvikas
Key Stats
- Como are unbeaten in their last 12 games.
- Como are three points off a top-four spot.
- Inter Milan have won their last 13 games against Como on home soil.
- Inter Milan are a point off leaders AC Milan.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
There are plenty of candidates in this clash between Inter Milan and Como, although the Nerazzurri skipper could take the focus away. Martinez has picked up form, and the two goals against Pisa are something Cristian Chivu would want repeated when they take on a tricky team like Como.
Moreover, Inter Milan have been terrific in Serie A this season, and it is only baffling that they are not on top of the table. However, with the expertise of their manager and skipper, Martinez, they could return to the top spot and keep the pressure on the other challengers, as the fans will want their captain at his best.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-1 Como
Como are unbeaten in their last 12 games, and in that run, they have managed to get some big results like the one against Juventus. However, coming to San Siro, where they have not won since 1950, may feel like a difficult task, irrespective of the quality Cesc Fabregas has with his squad.
Cristian Chivu’s men are playing some of the best football in Italy at the moment, and it is difficult to see Inter Milan dropping off here. Hence, the Nerazzurri are pencilled in to collect the points against this talented Como side, but they have been at risk of conceding needless goals this season, with the pattern likely to continue here.
