Inter welcome Como in Serie A with the mood around the hosts steadied by a workmanlike 2–0 at Pisa and the derby win against AC Milan. The victory at Pisa has, in the words of local coverage, quieted the noise around Cristian Chivu, with Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport (via FCInter1908) noting the lift provided by Lautaro Martinez and youngster Francesco Pio Esposito. Como arrive with only one league defeat in 13, a sixth-placed start built on organisation and a stubborn defensive line.
There’s an intriguing balance here: Inter are third with 27 points from 13 games, scoring at a clip of a goal every 42 minutes this season; Como are sixth with 24 points, conceding just seven goals across the same span and happy to play the long game. Twice last season this fixture finished 2–0 to Inter. That sets the tone, but the current context suggests a more tactical arm-wrestle than a procession.
Form tracker and league picture
Inter’s last ten reads like a team rediscovering its edge — eight wins, two defeats, back-to-back clean sheets at Milan (0–1) and Pisa (0–2). Como’s run is quieter but credible: long unbeaten stretches punctuated by the odd sting, such as the 1–5 reverse at Torino, offset by a composed 2–0 over Sassuolo and clean sheets against Napoli and Cagliari.
| Form snapshot (last 10) |  Inter INT |  Como COM |
|---|---|---|
| Recent form string | WLWWWLWWWW | WWDDWDWDDW |
| Goals scored per game | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Goals conceded per game | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Failed to score | 10% | 30% |
| Clean sheets | 5 | 5 |
On the table, the split is clear: Inter’s 9–0–4 record is aggressive, volatile and goal-rich (28 for, 13 against). Como’s 6–6–1 is pragmatic, a 19–7 ledger pointing to the best version of a mid-block side: few risks, ruthless in their moments.
Head-to-head: small sample, firm pattern
Recent head-to-head is brief but decisive: Inter did the double last term, 2–0 at home in December 2024 and 0–2 away in May 2025. Two clean sheets, four unanswered goals. The onus is on Como to show they can disrupt the rhythm Inter tend to impose in this matchup.
| Head-to-head (last 2) | Inter INT | Como COM |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 2 | 0 |
| Goals scored | 4 | 0 |
| Clean sheets | 2 | 0 |
| Average goal margin | +2.0 | -2.0 |
| Most recent result | 2–0 (home) | 0–2 (home) |
Where this could be won: second-half surges and control of tempo
The next step for Inter is turning control into clean, repeatable chances earlier. Season-long they have scored first in 69% of league matches, with a pronounced surge after the hour. Como, meanwhile, are notorious late operators: their top scoring window sits in the 76–90 minute band.
| Attacking indicators (season) | Inter INT | Como COM |
|---|---|---|
| Goals For | 28 | 19 |
| Shots on target | 69 | 70 |
| Shot conversion | 41% | 27% |
| Top minute window | 61–75 | 76–90 |
| Scored first | 69% | 54% |
This is where Chivu’s challenge lies. Inter are creating enough — and finishing at an elite rate — but their best waves arrive after the interval. Como’s resilience and late punch mean a flat first hour could complicate a game Inter should otherwise manage. The spotlight will again fall on Lautaro’s efficiency; recent reports framed him as the difference-maker in narrow wins, and that description still fits this matchup.
Set-piece and discipline profile
If Como are to tilt this, it may come from dead balls and penalty-box density. Inter average more than seven corners per game; Como sit under four. The card count suggests pressure could mount on the visitors if they’re forced into repeated last-ditch interventions.
| Territory & discipline (season) | Inter INT | Como COM |
|---|---|---|
| Avg corners for | 7.31 | 3.92 |
| Avg corners against | 3.08 | 3.54 |
| Avg fouls committed | 12.62 | 15.00 |
| Avg cards received | 1.38 | 2.38 |
| Offsides against (season) | 23 | 11 |
What the models say
Models tilt this strongly towards Inter, with a decent chance of a lively scoreline and both teams contributing. That’s consistent with Inter’s ability to generate pressure and Como’s knack for finding something late.
| Market | Probability |
|---|---|
| Inter to win (1X2) | 74% |
| Over 2.5 goals | 54% |
| Both teams to score — Yes | 63% |
One subplot is schedule management: Inter host Liverpool shortly after this. You don’t need to hypothesise about rotation to see the implication — a clean, early handle on proceedings would be welcome before a demanding midweek. Como’s next stop is Roma, the kind of stretch where disciplined points accumulation matters.
What it would mean
– If Inter win with authority: it backs up the idea that Chivu’s side have moved beyond an “underwhelming patch” and are trending back towards the front of the title conversation.
– If Inter labour or drop points: the noise turns back up, especially with Liverpool looming; the debate over control versus incision will sharpen.
– If Como get something: it validates their top-six start as more than a kind calendar — a functioning game plan against an elite attack. Survive the first hour, stay clean in the box, and their late-window profile gives them a puncher’s chance.