Inter Milan secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Como at San Siro, temporarily topping Serie A. Goals from Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Carlos Augusto highlighted the match.
Despite being outshot by Como, Inter’s performance exceeded expectations with an xG of 1.24 from 11 shots. Como managed 15 attempts but only achieved an xG of 0.95, marking their second league loss this season.
Cristian Chivu, Inter’s coach, expressed no extra satisfaction in defeating a team led by Cesc Fabregas, who was once considered for the Inter job. Chivu dismissed any rivalry with Fabregas, stating his focus remains on improving his team. “This is for newspaper headlines; it is of no interest to me,” Chivu remarked about the media narrative surrounding Fabregas.
Chivu acknowledged areas for improvement despite Inter’s dominant win. He noted that while the team showed aggression and quality, they could have managed their energy better in the first half. “We were perhaps a little frenetic in the first half,” he told DAZN Italia. The coach emphasised the importance of maintaining control after taking an early lead.
Fabregas maintained his commitment to a possession-based style despite the heavy defeat. Como held 58.1% possession compared to Inter’s 41.9%. Fabregas stated he preferred sticking to his philosophy rather than altering tactics for a more defensive approach. “I did think about it, but my head said no,” he explained regarding potential tactical changes.
Fabregas found positives in Como’s performance despite the loss. He believes that defeats offer valuable lessons and growth opportunities for his team. “After a heavy defeat, you learn more,” he said, highlighting that Como collected 60 points in their last 38 Serie A matches-a commendable achievement.
Chivu reflected on Inter’s ongoing success against Como, marking their tenth consecutive league win over them with an aggregate score of 24-2. However, he stressed that there is still room for improvement as they aim to maintain their position at the top of Serie A.
Fabregas concluded by expressing satisfaction with his team’s progress despite facing a formidable opponent like Inter Milan. He reiterated his preference for maintaining an attacking style rather than resorting to defensive formations even when facing strong teams.
The match underscored both teams’ contrasting styles and philosophies while highlighting areas each side can build upon as they continue their respective campaigns in Serie A this season.