Tonight match for Como and Inter na serious one wey go shake Serie A table. For Stadio Sinigaglia, 19:45 UK time, two teams wey dey fight for different things go clash. Inter, wey dey top, want to extend their lead to nine points after Napoli draw with Parma. Como, on the other hand, need win to hold fourth place because Juventus don already win yesterday.
Big news for Inter na absence of their captain, Lautaro Martinez. The man just come back from six weeks injury, only to suffer another muscular problem. So Francesco Pio Esposito go partner Marcus Thuram for attack. Yann Bisseck dey also miss out, so Francesco Acerbi dey in back three. Alessandro Bastoni, wey fans for Como jeer mercilessly last time, go face them again.
For Como side, Cesc Fabregas don surprise everybody with attack-minded formation. Instead of using Nico Paz as False 9 like before, he go start Tasos Douvikas with trio behind am: Assane Diao, Nico Paz, and Martin Baturina. Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez don recover from injuries, but Jayden Addai still dey long-term absentee. Sergi Roberto and former Manchester City midfielder Maximo Perrone go control midfield.
This match no be first time these two teams meet this season. Dem already play 0-0 draw for Coppa Italia semi-final here on March 3. Second leg go hold for San Siro on April 21. But tonight own na different ball game entirely. Como don win five Serie A games straight before 0-0 draw with Udinese slow them down.
Inter coach Cristian Chivu talk say dem no go change anything because of Como approach. “This changes nothing as far as we are concerned,” he tell DAZN Italia. He say dem need strong performance to get points. Chivu also mention say Lautaro go dey bench to support teammates, but Thuram, Esposito, and Calhanoglu fit show leadership.
One interesting thing for this match na duel between Nico Paz and Hakan Calhanoglu. Both players na long-range specialists. Como and Inter dey share top spot for long-range goals chart with ten each. Paz personally responsible for half of Como own, Calhanoglu for half of Inter own. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, this individual battle go be key storyline.
Paz bring more than just shooting. His free kicks, spectacular finishes, backheel assists, and creativity make am complete threat. Inter know am well because dem don dey try sign am for long time. Calhanoglu, on the other hand, dey among Europe all-time greats for long-range. Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dey ahead of am for rankings over past 15 years.
Meanwhile, for transfer news, Real Madrid go exercise their re-sign clause for Nico Paz at Como. The clause worth €9 million go be triggered this summer. Madrid still hold matching rights, buy-back option, and 50% of economic rights if dem sell am later. Similar policy dey for other Madrid academy graduates like Víctor Muñoz, wey Osasuna dey use now.
Muñoz matter don cause wahala because Madrid no go allow am join Barcelona. Rumors don dey fly say Barcelona want sign am, but Madrid hierarchy say no way. Dem hold right of first refusal, buy-back clause for €8-10 million over next three summers, and 50% of any future transfer fee. Premier League and Serie A clubs don already inquire about am.
Back to tonight match, line-ups don drop. Como go start with Butez; Van der Brempt, Kempf, Diego Carlos, Valle; Sergi Roberto, Perrone; Diao, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas. Inter go use Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito. Match go broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, DAZN, HBO Max for UK and Ireland, Paramount+ for USA.
Football fans dey wait see wetin go happen. Inter want maintain lead, Como want Champions League spot. With Paz and Calhanoglu ready to shoot from distance, anything fit happen. The Sinigaglia go hot tonight.
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