Como and Inter Milan played to a scoreless draw in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal on Sunday, a result that left Como coach Cesc Fabregas with a “slightly bitter taste” despite a performance he felt deserved a victory. The match, played at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Como, saw the Serie B side hold their own against the league-leading Nerazzurri, creating several scoring opportunities but ultimately failing to break the deadlock. The tie sets up a crucial second leg at the San Siro, where Inter will look to capitalize on their home advantage to secure a spot in the final.
Fabregas, a former Arsenal and Barcelona star, has quickly made an impact as Como’s manager, guiding the team to this stage of the competition. The draw against Inter represents a significant achievement for the club, demonstrating their progress under his leadership. The Coppa Italia is a major target for Inter, who are also competing for the Serie A title and are still in the Champions League. This two-legged affair promises to be a compelling contest, testing the mettle of both teams as they vie for silverware. The tactical battle between Fabregas and Inter coach Cristian Chivu was a key storyline heading into the match and the game itself lived up to the billing.
Tactical Stalemate at the Sinigaglia
The match unfolded as a tightly contested affair, with both sides adopting cautious approaches. Inter, managed by Cristian Chivu, deployed a 3-5-1-1 formation, starting with players like Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the bench. Como, under Fabregas, opted for a 4-2-3-1 setup, utilizing Nico Paz as a false nine for much of the game. The home side created the clearer chances, with Alex Valle missing a particularly glaring opportunity from close range. Matteo Darmian came closest for Inter, hitting the upright with a shot from a tight angle.
According to the official match report, Como’s starting eleven included Butez in goal, a defense of Smolčić, Ramón, D. Carlos, and Valle, with Perrone, and S. Roberto in midfield. The attack featured Vojvoda, Da Cunha, Caqueret, and Paz. Inter’s lineup consisted of J. Martínez in goal, a back three of Bisseck, Acerbi, and Bastoni, and a midfield of Darmian, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Sucic, and Carlos Augusto. The substitutions made by both managers throughout the match reflected a desire to inject fresh energy and tactical flexibility into their respective sides.
Fabregas: “We Deserved Victory”
Despite the lack of goals, Fabregas expressed his belief that Como were the better team on the day. “I feel that perhaps we deserved to score a goal, or at least got closer to scoring one,” he told Sport Mediaset, as reported by Football Italia. He noted that Inter “changed” their approach to neutralize Como’s strengths, suggesting that the Nerazzurri recognized the threat posed by the Serie B side. Fabregas also acknowledged the “slightly bitter taste” of not securing a win, particularly given the opportunities they created.
The former Spain international dismissed any notion of seeking “payback” for Como’s 4-0 defeat to Inter in Serie A back in December. “No, payback is for losers,” he stated. He emphasized his team’s focus on continuous improvement and their ambition to challenge the top teams in Italian football. Fabregas’s comments reflect a growing confidence within the Como squad and a determination to make their mark on the Coppa Italia.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
The second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal will be played at the San Siro, providing Inter with a significant home advantage. Inter will be looking to build on their solid defensive record and utilize their attacking firepower to secure a place in the final. Como, meanwhile, will demand to replicate their defensive solidity from the first leg and discover a way to exploit any vulnerabilities in the Inter defense. The match is scheduled for a date yet to be confirmed by Lega Serie A.
Several Como players are currently listed as “diffidati” (one yellow card away from suspension) ahead of the second leg, including Diego Carlos, Kühn, Morata, Paz, Ramón J., Roberto S., and Van der Brempt. Inter also have players walking the suspension tightrope: Esposito, Kamate, and Sucic. The availability of these players could have a significant impact on the team selections for the return fixture. The referee for the first leg was Michael Fabbri, with assistants Peretti and Colarossi, VAR overseen by Mazzoleni and AVAR by Maresca.
The outcome of the second leg will determine which team advances to the Coppa Italia final, where they will face either Juventus or Lazio. For Como, this represents a golden opportunity to claim a major trophy and further establish themselves as a force in Italian football. For Inter, it’s a chance to continue their pursuit of a domestic double and add another piece of silverware to their already impressive collection.
This article provides information about the Coppa Italia semifinal match between Como and Inter Milan. For the latest updates and official information, please visit the Lega Serie A website.
What did you think of Como’s performance against Inter? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this article with fellow football fans!
