Inter Milan delivered a decisive performance on December 23, 2024, securing a 2-0 victory over Como 1907 at the iconic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, commonly known as San Siro. This match was particularly important for the Nerazzurri, as they aimed to keep pace with the top teams in Serie A, namely Atalanta and Napoli.
The game kicked off with palpable tension, with Inter Milan eager to regain their momentum after facing injury setbacks. Despite missing key players including Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbi, Inter managed to field a formidable lineup featuring stars like Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram up front. Como, coached by the charismatic Cesc Fàbregas, entered the match with confidence following their recent victory over Roma.
Como surprised many by maintaining their attacking style, even against last season’s champions. The visitors had briefly engaged fans with their impressive performance against Atalanta earlier this season and were determined to extend their three-match unbeaten run. Unfortunately for Como, this match proved arduous.
Inter controlled the game's tempo but struggled to capitalize on early chances, with the first half ending without goals. Pepe Reina, Como’s goalkeeper, made several key saves to frustrate Inter, showcasing why he has long been regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers. Denzel Dumfries had one of the most notable misses of the night, skimming the ball over the bar from close range, which could have shifted the match's dynamic.
It wasn’t until the 48th minute of the second half when Inter finally broke the deadlock. A well-taken corner by Hakan Çalhanoglu found Carlos Augusto at the far post, who scored his second goal of the season, putting Inter on the scoreboard. This goal not only energized Inter’s fans but also established their dominance after several missed opportunities.
Como refused to back down, consistently threatening Inter’s defense as Nico Paz attempted to penetrate with quick passes alongside Andrea Belotti. The visitors demonstrated tenacity and creativity, almost equalizing with a well-rehearsed corner strategy. Sommer, Inter’s goalkeeper, was up to the task again, expertly denying Paz’s powerful close-range shot.
With the match reaching its closing moments, Marcus Thuram sealed the victory for Inter with a stunning shot from inside the box during stoppage time. This marked Thuram's 12th goal of the Serie A season, ensuring his name remained at the top of the scoring charts alongside Mateo Retegui. His performance emphasized Inter’s depth and attacking prowess, providing the team with much-needed confidence as they aim for the championship title.
Despite the loss, Como can take pride in their performance as they continue to build under Fàbregas. Their attacking style has proved fruitful earlier this season and will undoubtedly inspire future matches, even though they came short at San Siro. The match resembled not just another Serie A clash but signified Inter's determination to maintain pressure on league leaders as they navigated through challenging periods of the match.
Conclusively, this match served as clear evidence of Inter Milan’s resilience and tactical discipline, enabling them to stay just three points behind the leaders, with one game still to recover. The champion's path to retaining the title looks promising, especially with upcoming fixtures, offering plenty of opportunities to secure their position at the top.
