Como held Serie A giants Inter to a goalless draw in a hard-fought Coppa Italia encounter. Defensive resilience was the defining factor at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
Inter, a formidable force in Italian football, entered this Coppa Italia fixture as clear favourites. Como, often battling in a lower division, aimed to upset their illustrious visitors, propelled by a passionate home crowd.
The initial exchanges were cautious from both sides. Inter, despite their superior pedigree, found it difficult to penetrate Como's well-organized defensive lines.
Como, in turn, struggled to forge clear-cut scoring opportunities against Inter's experienced backline. The midfield battle remained intense, with neither team able to establish significant control of possession.
Shots on target proved to be a rare commodity throughout the opening half. Como managed just one attempt on goal, a moment of offensive intent that posed little threat to Inter's goalkeeper.
As the whistle blew for half-time, the 0-0 scoreline perfectly reflected a tactical stalemate. Both managers faced the challenge of adjusting their strategies to break the deadlock in the second period.
The second half saw Inter introduce fresh legs, with Matteo Darmian, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Francesco Esposito entering the fray in the 58th minute. These changes aimed to inject vital attacking impetus into their play.
Como responded with substitutions of their own, bringing on Sergi Roberto in the 70th minute to reinforce their midfield. Despite the tactical shifts, the overall pattern of play remained largely similar, with both defences holding firm.
Late changes from both benches, including Davide Frattesi for Inter and Maxence Caqueret for Como, signalled a desperate push for a winning goal. However, neither side could conjure the decisive moment needed to claim victory.
The match statistics painted a clear picture of offensive struggles. Como registered 5 shots in total, with only 1 finding the target. Inter managed just 3 shots, none of which troubled the Como goalkeeper.
Crucially, the expected goals (xG) for both teams registered a telling 0.0, underscoring the absence of genuine scoring opportunities. Como slightly edged possession with 52 percent, showcasing their tenacity.
The final whistle confirmed a frustrating goalless draw for Inter, failing to break down their determined opponents. For Como, this result was a testament to their unwavering spirit and excellent defensive organization, earning a valuable draw against top-tier opposition.
