A spot in the Coppa Italia final is up for grabs as Como face Inter Milan on Tuesday night.
A place in the Coppa Italia final hangs in the balance as Inter Milan welcome Como 1907 for a decisive semi-final second leg at Giuseppe Meazza. With the first leg ending goalless, everything remains finely poised but recent encounters between the two suggest anything but a cagey affair.
Inter arrive with momentum firmly on their side. Cristian Chivu has overseen a late-season surge that has all but secured the Serie A title, and attention now turns toward completing a domestic double. The Nerazzurri have rediscovered their attacking rhythm in emphatic fashion, scoring freely in recent weeks and displaying the kind of resilience that defines champions.
Their recent league clash with Como, a dramatic 4-3 comeback win, perfectly encapsulated their current form. Even when pushed, Inter have shown the ability to respond with authority. With 78 goals in Serie A this season and a squad brimming with confidence, they enter this tie as clear favourites.
Still, there is a sense of unfinished business in the Coppa Italia. After falling short in last year’s semi-finals, Inter are determined to go one step further this time. With the Scudetto nearly secured, the focus sharpens on cup success and a return to Rome.
For Como, this is a moment of opportunity as much as it is a challenge. Under Cesc Fabregas, the club have embraced an ambitious, possession-based approach that has brought both promise and vulnerability. While their league form against Inter has been disappointing, their performance in the first leg showed they are capable of competing.
Como arguably had the better chances in that opening encounter and were unfortunate not to take a lead into the return leg. Their willingness to play on the front foot, even against elite opposition, reflects a team unafraid of the occasion.
This season has already marked a significant step forward for Como. Back in Serie A after years away and pushing for European qualification, they are enjoying a resurgence that few would have predicted. Their journey to the semi-finals, highlighted by a dramatic penalty shootout win over Napoli, has only added to that narrative.
However, recent results suggest cracks are beginning to appear. A defeat to Sassuolo last time out dented their momentum, and defensive frailties have been exposed in high-intensity matches. Against an Inter side firing on all cylinders, those weaknesses could prove costly.
Tactically, this promises to be an open contest. Inter will look to control proceedings and apply sustained pressure, while Como are unlikely to abandon their philosophy. That approach could create spaces both for them to exploit and for Inter to punish. Ultimately, the balance of experience, quality, and form tilts heavily in favour of the hosts.
Como’s ambition ensures they will not go quietly, but overcoming Inter at Giuseppe Meazza represents a formidable task. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the teams could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Inter Milan continue to deal with a few key absences ahead of this decisive semi-final clash. Captain Lautaro Martinez remains sidelined with a thigh strain and is set to miss out once again, leaving a significant gap in attack. There is also uncertainty surrounding Alessandro Bastoni, who is struggling with an ankle issue and could be unavailable.
On a more positive note, Yann Bisseck has returned to training and is back in contention, while Petar Sucic is available again after serving his suspension. There are no additional disciplinary concerns for Cristian Chivu, who still has strong depth to call upon despite these setbacks.
In the absence of Martinez, the attacking responsibility will fall on Marcus Thuram, who has rediscovered his scoring touch and recently reached double figures in Serie A for the third consecutive season. The French forward has already proven his effectiveness against Como this month, and his movement and finishing will be crucial once again.
Thuram is expected to be partnered by either Ange-Yoan Bonny or Pio Esposito, with the latter currently favoured to start given his recent involvement. Inter Milan are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation that emphasizes control, width, and attacking fluidity.
Yann Sommer will start in goal, providing composure behind a three-man defence comprising Yann Bisseck on the right, Manuel Akanji centrally, and Carlos Augusto on the left. The wing-back roles will be filled by Denzel Dumfries on the right and Federico Dimarco on the left, both key to stretching play and delivering width in attacking phases.
In midfield, Nicolo Barella will offer energy and forward runs, Hakan Calhanoglu will dictate tempo from deep, and Piotr Zielinski adds creativity and link-up play. Up front, Marcus Thuram will lead the line, partnered by Pio Esposito, as Inter look to assert their dominance and secure a place in the Coppa Italia final.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito
Como 1907
Como head into this decisive second leg with relatively few injury concerns, giving Cesc Fabregas the flexibility to rotate and field a strong side. Jayden Addai and Sergi Roberto remain unavailable due to injury, but there are no suspension issues affecting selection. Having rotated parts of his squad in the recent league outing, Fabregas is expected to recall several key players for this high-stakes encounter.
In attack, a decision will need to be made regarding the central role. Alvaro Morata featured in the previous match, but Tasos Douvikas is likely to return as the primary striker, offering a more traditional focal point in the final third. Alternatively, Fabregas could opt for a more fluid system by deploying Nico Paz as a false nine, allowing for greater movement and positional interchange. Midfield reinforcements are also expected, with Maximo Perrone and Lucas Da Cunha likely to provide control and balance.
Como are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that emphasizes possession and attacking fluidity. Jean Butez will start in goal, positioned behind a back four consisting of Ivan Smolcic at right-back, Jacobo Ramon and Marc Oliver Kempf as the central defensive pairing, and Alex Valle on the left. In midfield, Maximo Perrone and Lucas Da Cunha will operate as the double pivot, tasked with controlling tempo and linking defence to attack.
Further forward, Mergim Vojvoda is expected to feature on the right wing, with Nico Paz in the central attacking midfield role and Martin Baturina on the left, all supporting the striker. Anastasios Douvikas is likely to lead the line as the central forward, as Como aim to combine their possession-based approach with clinical finishing to challenge Inter at Giuseppe Meazza.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas
Key Stats
- Inter Milan have scored 78 goals in Serie A this season.
- Inter are unbeaten since losing the Derby della Madonnina to AC Milan.
- Como 1907 have lost their last four Serie A matches against Inter, conceding 12 goals.
- The first leg of this Coppa Italia semi-final ended 0-0.
- Inter have scored nine goals in their last three league matches.
Player to Watch
Marcus Thuram
With Lautaro Martinez sidelined, Marcus Thuram steps into the spotlight as Inter’s main attacking force and recent performances suggest he is more than ready for the responsibility. The French forward has hit form at the perfect time, combining confidence with clinical finishing in front of goal.
Thuram’s impact goes beyond just scoring. His intelligent movement, ability to stretch defences, and physical presence make him a constant outlet in Inter’s attack. He has already troubled Como this season, and against a defence that has struggled to contain Inter’s attacking waves, he is likely to find space once again.
In a high-stakes knockout tie where moments matter, Thuram’s sharpness and composure could prove decisive. If Inter Milan are to secure their place in the final, expect their in-form striker to play a leading role.
Prediction
Inter Milan 3-1 Como
Everything points toward Inter Milan finishing the job at Giuseppe Meazza and with superior quality, momentum, and experience in big knockout ties, the hosts are well-placed to take control of this second leg.
Como will not sit back and have shown throughout the season that they are willing to play brave, possession-based football even against elite opposition. That approach could create chances, but it also leaves space behind, something Inter have repeatedly punished in recent meetings. Expect Como to have spells of control and even threaten, but over 90 minutes, Inter’s clinical edge and attacking depth should make the difference, especially with Marcus Thuram in form.