Inter Wobble on Winless Run as Como Surge into Champions League Hunt
Inter Milan limped into the international break with a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina, extending their winless run to four and cutting their Serie A lead to six points. Como thrashed Pisa 5-0 to extend their streak to five wins, moving three clear in the Champions League spots. The league table is tightening with eight rounds left, amid Como's remarkable rise post-owner's passing.
Inter's Stuttering Form Hands Rivals a Lifeline
Picture this: Inter Milan, the Scudetto frontrunners, staggering into the international break like they've had one too many after last orders. A four-match winless streak across all comps has shaved their Serie A lead down to a nervy six points. And it all boiled over in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Fiorentina, where the hosts clung on for dear life.
Pio Esposito nodded the visitors ahead inside 60 seconds, looking like it might be cruise control. But no – Cher Ndour smashed home a rebound late doors to snatch a point for the Viola. Relegation scrap? Fiorentina are now two points clear of the trapdoor, breathing a sigh of relief.
League Table Tightens: Milan and Napoli Lurking
That slip leaves Inter just six points clear of AC Milan, who turned them over in the derby a fortnight back and edged past Torino at the weekend. Napoli, the defending champs, are seven points adrift but firing on all cylinders with four straight wins, the latest a gritty away graft at Cagliari.
Eight rounds to go, and it's game on. Inter's aura of invincibility? Fading faster than a cheap tattoo. The Rossoneri and Partenopei smell blood – expect fireworks post-break.
Como's Rampage: Fabregas' Boys on Fire
While the big boys bumble, spare a thought for Como, who are gatecrashing the top-four party. Cesc Fàbregas' lot thrashed Pisa 5-0 for a fifth win on the spin, rocketing them three points clear of Juventus in fifth. The Old Lady could only muster a 1-1 at Sassuolo – sloppy from the Bianconeri.
The goals? A proper demolition: Assane Diao, Anastasios Douvikas (his 11th of the term – first Como bloke to hit double digits since the '50s), Martin Baturina, Nico Paz, and Maximo Perrone. Douvikas channels the ghosts of Giuseppe Baldini (13 goals) and Renato Cattaneo (11) from 1951-52. Pisa, bottom feeders, got rinsed.
This blitz came just days after tragic news: Como co-owner Michael Bambang Hartono, the Indonesian tobacco tycoon, passed at 86. He and brother Roberto Budi Hartono snapped up the club in 2019 when it was slogging in the fourth tier. Back in Serie A for the first time in over 20 years – what a story, eh?
What's Next for Serie A Shake-Up?
Inter need to steady the ship, or Milan and Napoli could pounce. Como? Keep this up, and Europe beckons for Fàbregas' dream team. With the break upon us, players will be licking wounds or toasting hauls. Serie A never sleeps – it's just got more twists than a plate of spaghetti. Stay tuned, lads; the run-in's gonna be mental.
(Drawing from reports by ESPN News Services)