COMO, Italy — As the Serie A title race enters its final stretch, Inter Milan must secure a victory against Como this Friday at 19:45 local time to keep their championship hopes alive. After a mixed season start, Como, under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, has shown impressive form, putting pressure on the title-chasing Nerazzurri.
In their last face-off with Inter, Como failed to find the back of the net, but they are expected to perform better this time around. With an average of 1.56 goals per game at home this season, the Lariani have scored in their previous 14 home matches and boast 28 goals from 18 home league games.
Despite their attack, Como’s defense remains a concern, having conceded 24 goals, roughly 1.33 goals per game. Nonetheless, 72% of Como’s home fixtures have seen both teams score, hinting at a thrilling encounter ahead.
“We know we are targeting a big club like Inter; we have nothing to lose,” Fabregas said in a recent press conference. “We want to finish the season strong and prove our worth at home.”
Inter, on the other hand, has scored a staggering 77 goals this season and must capitalize on Como’s defensive lapses to secure a win. Coach Simone Inzaghi’s squad dropped valuable points in last week’s 2-2 draw against Lazio, causing frustration among fans. They now rely on Napoli, who leads the league, to slip up against Cagliari for a chance at the title.
The stakes hinge not just on Inter’s game but also on Napoli’s performance. Inter needs a win and must hope for a Napoli defeat to remain in contention for the Scudetto, aiming to be the first to defend it since Juventus in 2010.
Recently, Como has been formidable at home, boasting a run of eight Serie A games without a loss. Their standout player, Assane Diao, has scored eight goals this season but will miss the match due to injury. Gabriel Strefezza, with six goals to his name, could play a pivotal role in this encounter.
Inter’s hopes hinge on the inclusion of captain Lautaro Martinez, who has netted 22 goals this season. He missed the last outing against Lazio and is expected to return to the pitch against Como.
“We can’t afford to slip again,” Martinez said. “It’s the last game of the season, and we will fight for the title till the end.”
As Inter aims to keep their dreams alive, the clash against Como presents an opportunity rife with tension. Como has already played the role of spoilers this season, taking points from six of the top eight teams, and they could once again prove to be a thorn in Inter’s side at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
With both teams pushing to prove their mettle, fans can expect an electric finale to the Serie A season, with every point crucial on this fateful Friday night.
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