Inter 2-0 Como Player Ratings: Thuram And Esposito Strikes Sink Fabregas And Nervy Visitors

From our perspective this felt like a controlled yet strangely restless night at the Serie A cauldron, with Inter never really leaving second gear but still easing past a tentative Como 2-0. The early blitz decided the contest, as Marcus Thuram and Pio Esposito shredded Como’s defensive shape inside 20 minutes and never really looked in danger afterward. Watching it live, we noticed how Inter’s tempo dipped after the second goal, almost as if they trusted their structure more than their attacking ruthlessness.

What stood out to us was the contrast in intensity; Inter’s midfield trio of Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nicolò Barella, and Piotr Zielinski dictated when to accelerate, while Como’s core never found that rhythm. The visitors had brief flashes through Nico Paz and Luis Milla, especially in transition, but their final-third decision-making faltered under pressure. From our angle, it felt like a match played on Inter’s terms, even when they were wasteful.

The atmosphere around the tie, especially given it’s part of the Inter vs Como rivalry’s renewed chapter, added an edge, yet Como never truly translated that into aggression where it mattered. Their back line looked nervy whenever Thuram drifted wide, while Esposito’s movement between lines kept tugging them apart. In the end, Inter’s 2-0 win reflected both their superiority and Como’s hesitancy, and honestly, it could have been heavier if Inter had been more clinical.

Check out Inter vs Como player ratings here.

Como Player Ratings vs Inter

Goalkeeper

Robert Sánchez - 7: We felt he kept the score respectable, despite conceding twice early. His save from Carlos Augusto’s header was strong and reassured a shaky defense. Distribution under pressure looked mostly calm, even when Inter’s press tightened. Eight ball recoveries from a keeper show how high he had to play. What stood out to us was his body language; he kept barking orders despite the deficit. From our perspective, he did enough to avoid any blame for the defeat.

Defenders

Yan Couto - 6: Yan’s outing felt split in two; on the ball, he was neat, off it, vulnerable. Fifty accurate passes and regular involvement suggested composure in buildup. But we noticed him caught slightly high for transitions, especially on the right. His crossing lacked consistent bite despite six attempts, only two really threatening. Defensively, he won just one duel, which mirrored the eye test. From our perspective, he tried to be proactive yet didn’t fully balance risk and safety.

Marc Oliver Kempf - 5.5: This was a tough night for Kempf, and his early positioning hurt Como. He made a couple of strong clearances, yet his error leading to a shot summed things up. We saw him hesitate stepping out on Esposito’s runs, gifting Inter pockets between lines. On the ball, he was tidy with 93% passing, but there was little vertical ambition. The lack of defensive leadership really showed when the backline collapsed for the first goal. From our perspective, he never quite recovered from that shaky start.

Jacobo Ramón - 6: Jacobo had a strange performance, combining big interventions with needless fouls. Six clearances and two interceptions indicate he was often in the right zones. However, we counted multiple cheap fouls that handed Inter easy set-piece platforms. His aerial success was only moderate, and he struggled against Thuram’s physicality. On possession, though, he passed with impressive accuracy under pressure. Overall, from our view, he hovered between solid and reckless, hence the balanced rating.

Álex Valle Gómez - 6: Álex’s passing numbers look great, but the tape tells a more cautious story. He recycled possession well, almost never misplacing simple balls wide or inside. Yet, we rarely saw him overlap with conviction or attack space behind Spence. Defensively, his duels record was poor, and crosses from his flank caused issues. His body language suggested uncertainty, especially after Inter’s second goal. From our perspective, he played within himself too much in a game that demanded bravery.

Midfielders

Máximo Perrone - 6: Perrone’s 45 minutes were functional rather than inspiring. We noticed him dropping deep to link play, keeping passes mostly safe. His long balls were accurate, but they rarely broke Inter’s compact mid-block. Defensively, he chipped in with a couple of tackles yet didn’t dominate any duel zone. The substitution at halftime felt tactical more than punitive. From our perspective, he neither solved Como’s problems nor created new ones.

Luis Milla - 7: For us, Milla was arguably Como’s standout outfield player. He knitted play together with crisp, forward-minded passing. Twelve passes into the final third show his constant intent to move Como upfield. We noticed his scanning before receiving; he always seemed aware of pressure. Defensively, six ball recoveries and two interceptions reflected real discipline. From our perspective, he deserved better support around him, as he often carried the midfield almost alone.

Lucas Da Cunha - 6: Wearing the armband, Lucas gave energy but not enough incision. His backwards passing volume underlined a slightly conservative mindset in possession. We expected more risk from him in the half-spaces, especially when Inter dropped. He did win some important fouls to ease pressure, which we appreciated. Yet in open play, he never truly broke lines or destabilised Inter’s block. From our perspective, it was a captain’s shift in work rate, not in influence.

Nico Paz - 6.5: Nico’s game was full of intent, if not always precision. He took two shots, including one early that flew too high but showed confidence. Fifteen possessions lost sounds messy, yet it also reflects his willingness to risk. We noticed his movement between the lines dragged Inter’s midfield around at times. He even battled in duels, winning more than half. From our perspective, he looked like the one Como player trying to change the narrative, albeit inconsistently.

Martin Baturina - 6: Baturina’s first half mixed clever touches with frustrating decisions. His assist for Nico Paz’s early chance came from a smart fast break. But he drifted offside needlessly more than once, killing promising attacks. Defensively, he put in a shift, yet his fouls were sometimes clumsy. We sensed his frustration growing, especially after another offside call halted a run. From our perspective, the substitution at halftime felt justified, even if slightly harsh.

Forwards

Anastasios Douvikas - 5.5: Douvikas looked isolated and never really solved that problem with his movement. Eleven touches across 71 minutes tells its own story. We saw him drop deep at times, but he rarely linked with midfield. His pressing was honest, yet fouls and late challenges broke his rhythm. He won only one duel in the final third, which summed up his night. From our perspective, he needed to be much more aggressive attacking the box.

Substitutes

Samuele Ricci - 6.5: Ricci came on at halftime and gave Como a bit more control. His positioning between Milla and the backline helped stabilise build-up. We noticed him demanding the ball under pressure, which was refreshing. However, he still struggled to inject real vertical thrust against Inter’s compact shape. He tidied up second balls and limited counters reasonably well. From our perspective, he improved the balance but couldn’t change the game state.

Ivan Smolcic - 6: Smolcic’s introduction was about shoring things up defensively. He immediately found himself under pressure from corners and crosses. One conceded corner led to a dangerous Dimarco chance, highlighting the strain. In open play, he was mostly conservative, clearing rather than building. We didn’t see many progressive actions from him, which limited Como’s transitions. From our perspective, he did the basics without really shining.

Mattia Liberali - 6: Coming on for Yan Couto, Liberali had limited time to impress. He gave a bit more vertical running down the flank, which we appreciated. However, his defensive awareness looked raw against Inter’s rotations. We saw him caught high a couple of times, forcing emergency cover. On the ball, he kept it simple, rarely risking dribbles. From our perspective, it was more cameo than statement.

Maxence Caqueret - 6.5: Caqueret added bite and energy in the middle third. We noticed his immediate intensity in duels and counter-press moments. He tried to play forward at every opportunity, sometimes forcing passes. Defensively, his positioning narrowed spaces between Inter’s lines, reducing their comfort. Still, the game state already favoured Inter, limiting his potential impact. From our perspective, he looked sharp and may have earned a start next time.

Manager

F. Fàbregas i Soler - 6: From our perspective, Fàbregas set Como up to compete, but the early goals shredded the plan. The structure in possession was fine, yet the transitions were poorly managed. We expected a deeper, more compact block against Inter’s firepower. His halftime changes improved the midfield balance, especially with Ricci and Caqueret. However, there was no clear attacking adjustment to truly trouble Inter. Overall, he will probably regret how passive the first 20 minutes felt.

Inter Player Ratings vs Como

Goalkeeper

Josep Martínez - 6.5: It was a relatively quiet evening for Martínez. He handled routine situations cleanly, with no major scares. We noticed one or two slightly loose long kicks, but nothing disastrous. His positioning on crosses was calm, helping the back three feel secure. With Como rarely testing him, concentration became his main task. From our perspective, he did what was required, nothing more, nothing less.

Defenders

Manuel Akanji - 7: Akanji looked in control almost throughout, both in and out of possession. His long passing from the back sliced through Como’s first line several times. We particularly noticed one lofted ball into Thuram that opened space. Defensively, he read danger early, stepping in with two big tackles. Possession losses came mostly from ambitious passes, which we can live with. From our perspective, he anchored that right side of the defense with real authority.

Alessandro Bastoni - 7: Bastoni’s left-foot was once again a key outlet for Inter. Six completed long balls tell part of the story, especially diagonals to wing-backs. Defensively, he made three interceptions by simply anticipating Como’s hesitant passing. We did see him commit a couple of clumsy fouls, but nothing fatal. His composure under pressure helped Inter reset phases calmly. From our perspective, he was a quiet but crucial pillar in this clean sheet.

Carlos Augusto - 6.5: Carlos had a lively, if slightly erratic, performance. Offensively, his runs into the box created shooting opportunities, including one saved header. He also tried his luck from distance, though accuracy deserted him. Defensively, six clearances showed he did his share of dirty work. Yet we felt he conceded too many fouls in dangerous areas. From our perspective, he contributed plenty but lacked the final polish to push his rating higher.

Midfielders

Hakan Çalhanoğlu - 7: Hakan quietly orchestrated play without the highlight-reel moments. His passing accuracy and tempo control were excellent, especially recycling possession under light pressure. One or two clever diagonals opened angles for the wing-backs. We noticed how often he dropped between center-backs to dictate build-up. Defensively, he contributed with clearances and tracked runners when needed. From our perspective, it was a mature, almost understated controlling performance.

Nicolò Barella - 7.5: Barella was everywhere, for better and worse. He committed several fouls, which slightly disrupted Inter’s rhythm. But his energy and vertical runs constantly unsettled Como. He created chances for both Dimarco and Thuram with clever passes and overlaps. We noticed his leadership in pressing triggers, often sprinting to close down first. From our perspective, his overall influence, especially in the first half, justified a strong rating.

Federico Dimarco - 7.5: Dimarco’s left foot was a constant menace, even if his finishing lacked precision. Three shots, one on target, should have yielded at least one goal. His movement from wing-back into the box repeatedly caught Como off guard. Defensively, he put in two clean tackles and tracked runners diligently. We noticed his body language; he looked frustrated after a big chance miss. From our perspective, though, his total contribution deserved a high mark.

Djed Spence - 8: For us, the former Tottenham Hotspur star was one of the standout performers and a genuine contender for man of the match. His assist for Esposito’s opener came from perfect timing and composure on the break. Going forward, he created multiple chances, constantly stretching Como on the right. Defensively, he balanced aggression with control, winning duels and tracking back diligently. We did see occasional loose touches, but his overall impact overwhelmed those errors. From our perspective, his blend of athleticism and decision-making earned him an 8 and highest praise.

Piotr Zielinski - 6.5: Zielinski had a tidy, slightly understated game. He recycled possession cleanly and linked triangles with wing-backs very well. Four passes into the final third showed occasional attacking intent. Defensively, he chipped in with an interception and disciplined positioning. We noticed he faded a bit before being subbed, which felt planned. From our perspective, he did his job, though others stole the spotlight.

Forwards

Pio Esposito - 8: Esposito’s display really caught our eye, even beyond the goal. His movement for the opener was pure striker’s instinct, attacking the six-yard space decisively. He linked play smartly, dropping in to combine with Thuram and the midfield. We also saw him win important fouls, helping Inter manage tempo. The yellow card was a blemish, reflecting perhaps over-exuberance rather than malice. From our perspective, he shared top billing with Spence and fully merited an 8.

Marcus Thuram - 8: Thuram was devastating in that opening spell and set the tone. His goal, a sharp finish from close range, showcased his striker’s composure. Beyond scoring, he created three chances, constantly bullying Como’s backline. We noticed his willingness to drift wide, dragging defenders out of shape. Yes, he missed a big chance and a couple of shots went wide. But from our perspective, his total influence on the attack makes him one of the highest-rated players.

Substitutes

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 6.5: Mkhitaryan’s entrance helped Inter manage the closing stages with experience. He slowed the game down at times, picking simple, secure passes. We noticed his positioning between the lines, offering a constant outlet under pressure. He didn’t create much, but he also didn’t force risky actions. Defensively, he tucked in to block lanes rather than press aggressively. From our perspective, it was a professional cameo, exactly what Inter needed at 2-0.

Ange-Yoan Bonny - 6: Bonny had limited time to impose himself up front. We saw a lot of running channels, but little end product. His touches were safe, perhaps too safe when space appeared. He didn’t really test Como’s center-backs in aerial or physical duels. Still, his presence kept their backline honest and pinned. From our perspective, he’ll see this more as a conditioning run-out than a statement.

Manager

C. Chivu - 7.5: Chivu’s game plan was clear and executed early; fast transitions and width hurt Como. We noticed how Inter targeted the flanks ruthlessly in the opening 20 minutes. His choice to trust Esposito alongside Thuram paid off handsomely. After going 2-0 up, he managed the game with pragmatic substitutions. The only minor criticism is perhaps not pushing for a third when Como wobbled. From our perspective, though, he won this tactical battle comfortably and kept the team fresh for upcoming Serie A tests.