Inter easily defeats a lackluster Como; Thuram named man of the match

Inter easily defeated Como 2-0 at San Siro in their Serie A Matchday 11 fixture. The Nerazzurri secured the win with goals from Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram against a Como side still reeling from the aftermath of their spectacular thrashing at the hands of Lens in the Champions League: Fabregas’s men were practically never in the game.

In the standings, Inter are breathing down Lazio’s neck, sitting in second place just one point behind the Biancocelesti, while Como slip to fifth place behind Milan.

Inter dominated the first half. Chivu’s team firmly controlled the game in the first 45 minutes and seemed to have sealed the deal within twenty minutes: in the 12th minute, Pio Esposito opened the scoring with a tap-in off an assist from Spence, who was set up by a flash of insight from Thuram. In the 19th minute, they doubled their lead thanks to a mistake by Valle, who misplayed a clearance, sending the ball right to Thuram’s feet, and he easily made it 2-0. By halftime, the match was already in the bag, with Como looking decidedly subdued at San Siro.

Inter were the better side in the second half as well, with the Italian champions coming close to a third goal through Dimarco and Thuram. Como had their first real chance around the hour mark through Nico Paz, but Martinez was there to make the save. Inter then settled into control, coming close to scoring again through Thuram and Carlos Augusto. The match ended 2-0, with Inter taking three points and getting back on track after last week’s derby loss.