One point shy of top spot ahead of a dramatic Friday night finale, reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan will visit nearby Como, hoping to overhaul title rivals Napoli.
After both sides slipped up last week, the Scudetto could still go either way – or even be decided by a playoff – as Italy’s top-flight season nears its climax.
Match preview
© Iconsport
Serie A’s ‘Super Sunday’ certainly delivered. Nine games were played concurrently last weekend, when Inter and Napoli continued their close-fought scrap for the title, and neither drama nor controversy were in short supply.
For their part, the defending champions spurned a great chance to reclaim first place with one round remaining, being held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio, following several twists and turns at San Siro.
Yann Bisseck fired them in front on the brink of half time, before Pedro poked Lazio level, but free-roaming wing-back Denzel Dumfries seemed to have taken Inter a point clear of Napoli – who could only draw 0-0 in Parma – by powering the hosts ahead with a back-post header.
Yet, after experiencing the ecstasy of a crucial late goal in their classic Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, this time the Nerazzurri were stung by a last-gasp leveller: after the VAR’s intervention, Bisseck was found guilty of handball and 38-year-old super-sub Pedro stepped up to convert a spot kick.
There was still time for Marko Arnautovic to fluff a golden opportunity to claim victory with just seconds remaining, as Inter ultimately stayed one point behind their Neapolitan rivals.
So, the outcome will be decided on Friday, when both clubs play their final fixture – or in a winner-takes-all playoff next Monday, should Napoli lose and Inter draw, meaning the pair end level on 79 points.
While Antonio Conte‘s side are at home to Cagliari, Simone Inzaghi‘s men must visit Lombardy rivals Como, wrapping up an eventful domestic campaign eight days before meeting Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
After previously posting eight consecutive away wins with seven clean sheets, Inter have since won just two of the last eight on their travels around Italy, so Stadio Sinigaglia is not exactly an ideal destination in the circumstances.
Nevertheless, history will be firmly on their side: the Milan giants have won their last eight league games against Como, including when the two sides last met in December, as Inter ran out 2-0 winners at San Siro.
© Imago
Though they came up just short in their bid to win seven consecutive Serie A matches last week, Como are still full of confidence and could prove stiff opposition for Inzaghi’s Scudetto hopefuls.
Pegged back by Hellas Verona, the Lariani had to settle for a 1-1 draw last time out, but they have already secured an unexpected top-half finish with a superb streak of results since the start of April.
Occupying 10th place in the standings on 49 points, five clear of Torino and Udinese, they can still match or surpass the last promoted team to claim at least 50 – Verona in 2014.
After overcoming a slow start, Como have flourished on their return to the top flight after 21 years away, and they could be a fixture for several seasons to come.
Backed in the transfer market by ambitious owners, and boasting a much-admired coach in Cesc Fabregas, they will aim to build on those foundations next term.
En route to gatecrashing the top 10, Como have won their last three home matches while conceding just one goal, so they may first have a say in Inter’s quest to retain the title.
Team News
© Imago
Inter are sweating on the fitness of two Champions League heroes, as captain Lautaro Martinez and semi-final match-winner Davide Frattesi face a race against time to feature in Friday’s crucial contest.
Both are still expected to make the bench, while French defender Benjamin Pavard recently returned to training and should also be available.
Should Martinez be cleared to start at the Sinigaglia, Mehdi Taremi would drop down to the bench, with ‘El Toro’ and Marcus Thuram re-joining forces up front.
Otherwise, Simone Inzaghi is set to name an unchanged team, featuring in-form Denzel Dumfries, who poses a significant threat at set pieces: including his header last week, the Dutch wide man has scored 11 goals and provided five assists across all competitions this season.
Without injured top scorer Assane Diao – who has netted eight Serie A goals since joining in January – Como will turn to another rising star, Nico Paz (six goals and eight assists), for their inspiration.
Alberto Dossena and Sergi Roberto are also sidelined, while Edoardo Goldaniga must serve a suspension; in the latter’s absence, Ivan Smolcic could come into the hosts’ back four.
Meanwhile, reserve goalkeeper Pepe Reina will bow out of professional football at the grand age of 42, having just announced his retirement.
Como possible starting lineup:
Butez; Vojvoda, Smolcic, Kempf, Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Paz, Caqueret, Strefezza; Douvikas
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi
We say: Como 1-2 Inter Milan
Inter should do their job by beating Como, but it could be a big struggle to secure three invaluable points – and more late drama cannot be ruled out.
Though their front line has begun to falter, no team across Europe’s top five leagues have scored more goals via set pieces (25), and the Nerazzurri can capitalise from dead-ball situations once again.
Then, their destiny will depend on events in Naples.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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