Serie A | Gameweek 38

May 23, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como vs Inter Milan

Match preview

'Super Sunday' in Serie A certainly delivered. Nine games were played concurrently last weekend, when Inter and Napoli continued their hard-fought battle for the title. Neither drama nor controversy were in short supply.

The defending champions missed a great opportunity to reclaim first place, being held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio at San Siro following several twists and turns.

Yann Bisseck put them ahead just before half-time, but Pedro equalised for Lazio. However, free-roaming wing-back Denzel Dumfries seemed to have put Inter one point ahead of Napoli — who could only draw 0–0 in Parma — by powering the hosts ahead with a back-post header.

However, after the ecstasy of scoring a crucial late goal in their classic Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, the Nerazzurri were stung by conceding a last-gasp equaliser. After VAR intervention, Bisseck was found guilty of handling the ball, and 38-year-old substitute Pedro scored the winning penalty.

There was still time for Marko Arnautović to miss a golden opportunity to win the game with just seconds remaining, and Inter ultimately finished one point behind their Neapolitan rivals.

The outcome will therefore be decided on Friday, when both clubs play their final fixture — or in a winner-takes-all play-off next Monday, should Napoli lose and Inter draw, meaning the pair end the season level on 79 points.

While Antonio Conte's side are at home to Cagliari, Simone Inzaghi's men must visit Lombardy rivals Como, bringing an eventful domestic campaign to a close eight days before they meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Having previously posted eight consecutive away wins with seven clean sheets, Inter have since won just two of their last eight games on the road, so Stadio Sinigaglia is not exactly an ideal destination.

Nevertheless, history is firmly on their side: the Milan giants have won their last eight league games against Como, including the last time the two sides met in December when Inter won 2–0 at San Siro.

Although they fell just short in their attempt to win seven consecutive Serie A matches last week, Como are brimming with confidence and could provide tough competition for Inzaghi's Scudetto hopefuls.

Held to a 1-1 draw by Hellas Verona last time out, the Lariani have already secured an unexpected top-half finish with a superb run of results since the start of April.

Currently in 10th place with 49 points, they are five points ahead of Torino and Udinese and could match or surpass the last promoted team to reach 50 points — Verona in 2014.

Having overcome a slow start, Como have flourished on their return to the top flight after 21 years away, and could be a fixture for several seasons to come.

Backed by ambitious owners in the transfer market and boasting the highly regarded Cesc Fàbregas as coach, they will aim to build on those foundations next term.

On their way to breaking into the top 10, Como have won their last three home matches while conceding just one goal, so they could well have a say in Inter's quest to retain the title.

Recent Performance

Como Serie A form:WWWWWD

Inter Milan Serie A form:WLLWWD

Inter Milan form (all competitions):LDWWWD

Team News

Inter are anxious about the fitness of two Champions League heroes: captain Lautaro Martínez and semi-final match-winner Davide Frattesi are both facing a race against time to play in Friday's crucial match.

Both players are expected to be on the bench, while French defender Benjamin Pavard has recently returned to training and is also likely to be available.

If Martinez is cleared to start at the Sinigaglia, Mehdi Taremi will be on the bench, with 'El Toro' and Marcus Thuram reuniting up front.

Otherwise, Simone Inzaghi is set to name an unchanged team featuring the in-form Denzel Dumfries. The Dutch wide man poses a significant threat at set pieces, having scored 11 goals and provided five assists across all competitions this season.

With top scorer Assane Diao, who has scored eight Serie A goals since joining in January, out injured, Como will turn to rising star Nico Paz (six goals and eight assists) for inspiration.

Alberto Dossena and Sergi Roberto are also sidelined, while Edoardo Goldaniga is suspended. In his absence, Ivan Smolcic could come into the hosts' back four.

Meanwhile, reserve goalkeeper Pepe Reina will retire from professional football at the age of 42.

Possible starting lineup

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