Davide Massa has been assigned to the Como vs. Roma Serie A fight for fourth place, while Gianluca Manganiello gets Inter-Atalanta, but Daniele Doveri drops to Serie B after the Derby della Madonnina.

The AIA (Italian Referees Association) has confirmed the referees chosen for this weekend’s Serie A matches.

The biggest game of the round is arguably the showdown for Champions League qualification, as Como and Roma are locked together in the table and go head-to-head at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday.

That has been handed to experienced official Massa.

Leaders Inter try to get back on track against Atalanta, which will be officiated by Gianluca Manganiello in another top seven duel.

Notably, there is no Serie A fixture this weekend for Doveri after his work in the Derby della Madonnina, but this does not mean it is a demotion.

Instead, he is trusted with the extremely difficult and important Serie B promotion clash between Monza and Palermo, which could prove decisive for who gets to be in the top flight next season.

Serie A Week 29 referees

Torino vs. Parma (Maresca, VAR Ghersini)

Inter vs. Atalanta (Manganiello, VAR Gariglio)

Napoli vs. Lecce (Abisso, VAR Nasca)

Udinese vs. Juventus (Mariani, VAR Maggioni)

Verona vs. Genoa (Marchetti, VAR Marini)

Pisa vs. Cagliari (La Penna, VAR Paterna)

Sassuolo vs. Bologna (Bonacina, VAR Serra)

Como vs. Roma (Massa, VAR Fabbri)

Lazio vs. Milan (Guida, VAR Chiffi)

Cremonese vs. Fiorentina (Di Bello, VAR Aureliano)

There are new reports in Spain that Real Madrid are tracking Como coach Cesc Fabregas, putting his name on the shortlist for the Bernabeu job next season.

According to pundit Jorge Picon on El Desmarque, Fabregas is one of the coaches who have particularly impressed the Real Madrid chiefs.

They appreciate his working style, his communication tactics, and believe he could be a serious candidate to take over next term.

Alvaro Arbeloa is currently the interim manager for Real Madrid, after Xabi Alonso was sacked in January.

Fabregas eager to stay at Como, but if Real Madrid call…

This could well be one of the only offers that could tempt him to walk away from the project at Como, where he is currently in joint fourth place in Serie A alongside Roma.

He has taken then from Serie B to challenging for Champions League qualification, along with a place in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter, in just two years.

Fabregas is only 38 years of age, but was a product of the Barcelona youth academy, also spending time at Arsenal, Chelsea and AS Monaco before retiring at Como in 2023.

He went straight into management and helped them earn promotion from Serie B to the top flight, along with significant financial backing from the club’s Indonesian owners.

That included signing Nico Paz, who has a buy-back clause at Real Madrid that the club is eager to use.

¿Qué entrenadores sondea el Real Madrid para la 26/27?@JorgeCPicon analiza varios nombres… y ¡suelta una bomba!

"Están siguiendo muy de cerca a Cesc Fàbregas".

En #ElDesmarket, con @Rafa9Mainez.

https://t.co/Hbxp19PI5e pic.twitter.com/SY2dtnsj4g

— ElDesmarque (@eldesmarque) March 9, 2026

Cesc Fabregas insists the 2-1 Como victory away to Cagliari was ‘the win I am most satisfied with this season’ due to their exhaustion after the Coppa Italia. ‘Jean Butez is ready for international duty.’

The Lariani were in Serie B only two seasons ago, yet now find themselves playing every three days in Serie A to challenge for a top four spot, and in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

They held Inter to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday evening and today didn’t drop a single point, winning 2-1 in Sardinia with Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha.

Fabregas proud of Como progress

“I liked the way the lads reacted today, as this performance proves what the team is made of, they have great mentality that is growing game by game,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“We were all exhausted today, there were so many matches in a row, we were so tired. That is why this is the win I am most satisfied with this season. It is genuinely a major step forward for the team.”

It was far from a simple task, because Sebastiano Esposito’s diving header had temporarily drawn Cagliari level, and Como had to thank a Butez fingertip save on Michel Adopo.

“Como invested in young players and some of them, even if they didn’t cost very much, are world class,” insisted Fabregas.

“Since he arrived, Butez has worked like an animal. He always wants to learn more, and he knows everything depends on how much you want it. He is a leader not just for his qualities, but also in the locker room. I think he is ready to make the step up for international duty with France.”

This result puts Como temporarily in joint fourth place alongside Roma, who have a difficult trip to Genoa tomorrow evening and the distraction of the Europa League.

Are the minnows genuinely contenders for a Champions League spot?

“We are not there yet. We are on the right track, but there are many games still to go. I saw definite progress in the team today, it was one of the most difficult matches of the season, and the credit for that also goes to Fabio Pisacane for giving his identity to the Cagliari squad,” concluded Fabregas.

Como continue their march on the Champions League places with a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Como, thanks to Martin Baturina and a Lucas Da Cunha stunner.

The Lariani climbed into fifth place with back-to-back victories over Juventus and Lecce, then held Inter to a 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg draw on Tuesday. Jayden Addai was the only long-term absentee, whereas the Sardinians were decimated by injuries to Yerry Mina, Luca Mazzitelli, Gianluca Gaetano, Alessandro Deiola, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti, so Michael Folorunsho was a False 9.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Como took the lead with their first chance of the game, winning it back in midfield, then Lucas Da Cunha’s scuffed finish turned into an assist for Martin Baturina to sweep home from close range.

Cagliari should’ve equalised on the half-hour mark, as first Michael Folorunsho’s strike was charged down, then the move continued and Ibrahim Sulemana hit a fresh-air shot on Marco Palestra’s roll across from 12 yards.

Como lost Maxi Perrone to a bruised thigh, replaced by Mergim Vojvoda and dropping Baturina into midfield.

The hosts did equalise when Palestra surged up the right from his own half and put in a cross, the Adam Obert scuffed volley turned into an accidental assist for Sebastiano Esposito’s diving header from seven yards.

Ze Pedro provided brave defending by charging down a Nico Paz screamer with his face, Juan Rodriguez doing the same on an acrobatic Alvaro Morata attempt.

Palestra was booked for simulation after squirming between two and losing his balance, but Como restored their lead thanks to a sensational strike from Lucas Da Cunha. He gathered 20 metres from goal and unleashed an unstoppable effort off the outside of the left boot, swerving into the far top corner.

A corner was flicked on by Gabriele Zappa for Semih Kilicsoy at the back post, cleared with difficulty by Marc-Oliver Kempf.

Jean Butez needed a fantastic fingertip save to push the Michel Adopo strike round the base of the near post.

Cagliari 1-2 Como

Baturina 14 (Co), Esposito 56 (Ca), Da Cunha 76 (Co)

07-03-2026 14:00

MatchDay 28

Unipol Domus (Sardegna Arena)

Cagliari

Como

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

14'

Martin Baturina

2nd half

Sebastiano Esposito (Assist: Adam Obert)		56'
Marco Palestra		65'
Sebastiano Esposito		71'
		76'		Lucas Da Cunha (Assist: Ignace Van Der Brempt)
		83'		Jacobo Ramón
Alberto Dossena		89'

Match statistic

43

Possession %

57

8

Total shots

8

3

Shots on target

2

1

Shots off target

3

4

Blocked shots

3

2

Corners

3

7

Offsides

2

17

Fouls

18

Cagliari

Como

Starting lineups

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

79'

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

73'

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

79'

90

Michael Folorunsho

Midfielder

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

78'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

81'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

81'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

36'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

81'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

62'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

Substitutes

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

39

Andrea Cogoni

Defender

38

Ivan Sulev

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

40

Roberto Malfitano

Midfielder

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

73'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

78'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

79'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

87'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

36'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

62'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

81'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

81'

3

Álex Valle

Defender

81'

Cesc Fabregas has dismissed any suggestion that Como’s 0-0 draw with Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg represented a missed opportunity, insisting his side performed well enough to have won the tie, and that the second leg in seven weeks’ time remains very much alive.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Serie A clash with Cagliari, the Como head coach was characteristically detailed and passionate in his defence of his side’s display against the league leaders.

“Was it a missed opportunity? Sincerely, no,” he said, with quotes via CalcioMercato.

“We had three great chances to score, including Nico Paz, and they barely threatened our goal. I would like to know how many times in recent years Inter have managed just 0.07 expected goals.”

Fabregas proud of Como performance against Inter

Fabregas was equally pointed in pushing back against any criticism of his tactical approach in the closing stages, when Como sat deep rather than chasing a winner.

“If we had gone all-out and conceded a late goal, I would not have slept,” he said.

“We controlled Inter very well. For anyone used to watching teams do that against Inter, well, good for you.”

His only genuine regret was a lack of quality in the final third, with Valle and Vojvoda both failing to convert when well-placed.

“It was not attitude or tactics, it was quality in the last moment,” he conceded. “But after 40 years, we go to Milan in seven weeks to play for a final. Is it impossible? Nothing is impossible.”

The broader context is equally remarkable. Fabregas also reflected on an extraordinary run of fixtures, nine wins, four draws and two defeats across a gruelling 63-day stretch in which Como played every four days. Only the defeat to Fiorentina, he argued, was deserved.

Saturday’s visit of Cagliari offers a chance to maintain the momentum, and Fabregas is expecting another tight affair against a well-organised side.

“I know Pisacane very well, he is doing a tremendous job,” he said. “We want to play our game and bring home three points.”

Como coach Cesc Fabregas and former Italy star Giuseppe Rossi urged fans around Serie A to stop jeering Alessandro Bastoni after the simulation controversy. ‘On the field, you do anything to win.’

The Inter defender was roundly criticised in the media after an obvious simulation got Pierre Kalulu sent off during their win over Juventus, and because it was a second yellow card, VAR could not intervene.

The incident was so controversial that it prompted IFAB to change the protocol from the World Cup this summer, allowing VAR to correct a clear and obvious error if a player is sent off for a second bookable offence.

Although Bastoni later apologised in public, he has not been forgiven, with loud jeers at his every touch in the games against Lecce and Como.

Bastoni still being jeered by other fans

“I don’t know him, but I think he is a top player and a great lad,” said Como coach Fabregas in a press conference after last night’s Coppa Italia semi-final.

“He has to be the future captain of the Italy squad, he is fundamental, and we must protect him. He got it wrong that day, certainly, it can happen to players, it happened to me too, as I made a mistake at San Siro.

“You apologise and you move forward. He is intelligent and he’ll get out of this.”

Support for Bastoni also came from former Italy, Fiorentina and Manchester United striker Rossi, who commented on the situation when speaking to The Italian Football Podcast.

“Listen, on the field you do anything to win. And if Bastoni thought that was the thing to do, then for him it was the thing to do,” noted Rossi.

. @GiuseppeRossi22 On Bastoni Azzurri Ban Talk  

full interview: https://t.co/VdkyqZc4f4 pic.twitter.com/DgUobKEFw0

— The Italian Football Podcast (@ItaFootPod) March 4, 2026

“It worked. They were able to have one guy more [on the pitch]. And ultimately win the game. Can you fault him? No. Do I like it? No I hate that type of stuff. But can you fault him? No, you can’t fault him. Unfortunately, it’s all part of the game. I fault the VAR and I fault whatever these damn rules regarding the VAR.”

The jeers from the fans of other clubs also follow appeals to have Bastoni excluded from international duty in the upcoming World Cup play-offs.

“And all this, saying that he not going to on the national team is BS. Everybody does something that’s on the limits of the rules in order to gain an advantage,” added Rossi.

“If that’s the case him not going on the national team, then we have no national team.”

Arrigo Sacchi was critical of the way that Como and Inter approached the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday evening, a game which he felt lacked a ‘spark’. 

Como and Inter played out a 0-0 stalemate in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday evening. This means that the tie will be decided in San Siro when the teams meet for the return leg on April 22. 

Sacchi reacts to Como 0-0 Inter: ‘There were no sparks’

The first leg of the Como-Inter tie was not a thriller by any means: Cesc Fabregas’s side registered the game’s only shot on target across the 90 minutes. 

Sacchi, writing in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column, was critical of the way that both sides approached the game. 

“Immediately, let’s get it clear that it isn’t a question of system or of players, they have nothing to do with it. The issue that should be under scrutiny is the approach.” 

Sacchi explained that neither Como nor Inter played to their usual strengths at the Stadio Sinigaglia last night. 

“First of all, it was a game where teams tried not to concede and to play on the counter attack. 

“I was amazed by Fabregas’s side, which so far, has been praised for its desire and determination to dominate the opponent. There were no sparks this time, though. 

“Inter, who practically have the Scudetto in their hands, and will only lose it if they fall asleep (they are 10 points clear of Milan), are a team that makes solidity and playing forwards two of its strengths. We saw that solidity, especially out of possession, even if Como did scare the goalkeeper Martinez a couple of times, but there was no forward play at all.” 

This Coppa Italia semi-final will not be settled for another six weeks. Inter will host the return leg in San Siro on April 22. 

“To be positive, let’s look at it this way: Como and Inter have saved themselves in view of the second leg,” wrote Sacchi. “Especially the Nerazzurri, who will head into the derby in San Siro on Sunday evening, when Milan will have to play their last card in an attempt to complicate Chivu’s plans.” 

Cristian Chivu explains his surprising Inter tactical changes for the Coppa Italia semi-final with Como. ‘It’s the first time we played like this, we’ve got to make do with what we have.’

The Nerazzurri are flying high in Serie A with a 10-point lead at the top of the table, but seem to be struggling more with cup competitions.

They crashed out of the Champions League, losing both home and away to Bodo/Glimt, and struggled to create any chances in today’s 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final draw away to Como.

It all therefore goes down to the second leg at San Siro, which will be on April 21 or 22.

Chivu transformed Inter against Como

“I had a few problems to deal with, we were forced into some changes. It’s the first time I played with a pair of creative midfielders supporting the striker,” confessed Chivu to Sport Mediaset.

“We also changed our way of defending, especially in our own half, we tried to attack them man for man, but were a bit slow with our wing-back closing on their left-back. There were two Como strikers who were not strikers, dropping a bit deeper, and causing problems for us.

“They are so good at keeping the ball, passing it around and drawing you out to then attack the space. We did well to understand what we needed to do, and were fortunate in a couple of situations.

“Considering we didn’t have much time to prepare, playing after 72 hours, the lads did well to understand the instructions quickly and give their best, knowing that at times we had to accept Como’s possession play.”

With Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny out of action, and Marcus Thuram not fully fit, Chivu opted for a system with Andy Diouf in a more advanced role to support Francesco Pio Esposito.

There was more squad rotation ahead of this Sunday’s Serie A clash with rivals Milan, which on top of the Derby della Madonnina is also a Scudetto showdown.

“We had two strikers available today, so we decided to share the playing time between them,” explained Chivu.

“We’ve got to make do with what we have, and the lads did well to recognise the difficulty of this match. They had the right approach, even if it wasn’t a real Inter type of game, and not admittedly very entertaining to watch either.”

Could this type of approach be replicated in the Derby against Milan in Serie A on Sunday, or will Inter go back to their usual 3-5-2?

“Both teams tonight were sitting back a bit to wait and see, because Como dropped Vojvoda down for a five-man defence at times, so it wasn’t entertaining because both teams struggled to find the right spaces,” added Chivu.

“They tried to attack our lines and we read those moves well to block them off. It was the first time we tried to build with two playmakers, and had two creative midfielders like Diouf and Frattesi behind the striker. That changes a lot.

“We’ve got four days before the derby, we’ll see who is available, and then decide what to do for that match.”

With former teammates Christian Panucci and Andrea Ranocchia in the studio, Chivu joked that they were being too kind.

“I think I prefer it when they insult me, I got so used to criticism lately,” smiled the Romanian.

Cesc Fabregas feels Como ‘deserved victory’ in the 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final after Inter ‘changed’ to neutralise their strengths. ‘I cannot lie, the dream is to challenge for more.’

Both coaches made some surprising choices for this first leg stalemate, as while the Nerazzurri had just one centre-forward at a time, the Lariani opted to have a False 9 in the form of Nico Paz for most of the match.

The hosts had the best chances with Mergim Vojvoda and particularly an Alex Valle miss from five yards, while Matteo Darmian clipped the upright from a tight angle for Inter.

Fabregas thought Como deserved victory

“The result is what it is. Overall, I feel that perhaps we deserved to score a goal, or at least got closer to scoring one,” Fabregas told Sport Mediaset.

“It was a chess match, very tactical, where against the most dominant team in Serie A, we played the game we wanted to. We were solid, had two or three very good chances, with Alex Valle where it seemed harder to miss than to score, but these things happen.

“Inter have dominated Italian football in the last five years, but they had only one shot on goal today. It leaves a slightly bitter taste in our mouths, because we feel like we could’ve at least won this 1-0.”

Considering some recent criticism, also in the wake of Como’s 4-0 defeat to Inter at San Siro in Serie A in December, does this performance give Fabregas a sense of payback?

“No, payback is for losers. There are people who wait three or six months for you to slip up, they leap up from their beds and can’t wait to attack you. However, intelligent people, those who are hungry and eager to learn, we are humble and open to listening to people’s opinions.

“There are 12 games to go this season, hopefully 13, but we’ve got to keep pushing. Now we’ve again got a game on Saturday afternoon, whereas Inter are scheduled for Sunday evening, so we hope to get some rest in.”

The game ended goalless, so it will all be decided at San Siro in the second leg of this Coppa Italia semi-final.

A firm date has not been set, but it will be April 21 or 22.

“I don’t know if Inter are favourites now, I just know we are Como and they are Inter. There is certainly a different mentality between the clubs and teams right now, at least for the moment. We keep trying to raise the bar,” noted Fabregas.

“We are playing in a Coppa Italia semi-final, so if you had told a Como fan or even me that when we were in Serie B two years ago, I doubt anyone would’ve believed you. There is a long way to go before the second leg, we have a lot of Serie A games to play first, and we have to focus on those.

“I think the real question is for Cristian Chivu, because Inter came here and played differently to how they usually do. They dominate in Serie A, press hard, don’t leave you any spaces, and I think my players put in a great performance today.”

It was put to Fabregas that the project at Como was not dissimilar to the epic Sampdoria of the early 1990s, which won the Scudetto and reached the European Cup Final with a strong investor.

“These are strong words for the future. This is the idea we thought of from Day One, when we started this project, this dream two years ago. It was a team coming from Serie B, we made important changes in January, and after a year we saw great improvement.

“We can continue like this with our feet on the ground. I cannot lie that the dream is to continue growing, and maybe when we are better-prepared, to challenge for something more.

“We must also never forget where we came from, as it is only two years of this project, and we are slowly raising the bar. We’ll see where we end up one day,” concluded Fabregas.

Matteo Darmian confirms Inter ‘showed respect to Como’ with their tactical changes in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg. ‘These ties are played over 180 minutes.’

It was a very evenly-balanced match at the Stadio Sinigaglia on the shores of Lake Como, as the two coaches seemed to cancel each other out with tactical tweaks.

The hosts opted for Nico Paz as a False 9, while the Nerazzurri unusually also had only a single centre-forward, moving Andy Diouf into a more advanced support role.

The best chance for Inter fell to Darmian, whose cross-shot clipped the outside of the near post at the dawn of the second half.

Darmian content with Inter stalemate

“We knew Como’s strengths, the way they hold the ball and can play out from the press, but we had the right attitude,” Darmian told Sport Mediaset.

“We might’ve preferred to bring home a victory, but we have a very important game coming up on Sunday, and then we’ll prepare for the second leg when it comes.”

The Coppa Italia semi-final will go to the second leg at San Siro, which is going to be scheduled for April 21 or 22, to see who goes on to face either Lazio or Atalanta in the Final.

Before that, Inter have the Serie A showdown with rivals Milan on Sunday, in the Derby della Madonnina.

“The important thing was keeping a clean sheet today, we try to do our best both attacking and defending every week. It was good to not concede ahead of the second leg,” added Darmian.

“We showed respect to Como, we knew that these ties are played over 180 minutes, and it was important to leave here with a positive result. When you wear the Inter jersey, your responsibility is to always go for a win, but we didn’t manage it today, and have to look at the big picture.”

Como’s last victory over Inter was 1-0 in December 1985, managing two draws in the next 15 meetings, and they were beaten 4-0 at San Siro when these sides met most recently in December 2025.

Como had the best chances with Mergim Vojvoda and Alex Valle, while Inter’s Matteo Darmian clipped the upright, but the Coppa Italia semi-final will be decided in the second leg at San Siro.

The Stadio Sinigaglia was packed out for their first Coppa Italia semi-final in 40 years, with Cesc Fabregas’ side fifth in Serie A too. Nico Paz returned to the starting XI, but Marc-Oliver Kempf and Jayden Addai were injured, with Assane Diao and Edoardo Goldaniga only fit for the bench.

The Nerazzurri had to reshuffle with Lautaro Martinez, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Marcus Thuram all not fully fit, so Andy Diouf was moved to a more advanced role, along with other squad rotation. Como’s last victory over Inter was 1-0 in December 1985, managing two draws in the next 14 meetings, including a 4-0 defeat at San Siro in December 2025.

The second leg of this semi-final, the only stage of the tournament to be played home and away, will be on April 21 or 22.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Mergim Vojvoda pounced on a Yann Bisseck error to burst into the box, denied by a desperate Carlos Augusto block from eight yards, then moments later was offside when forcing a big Josep Martinez save.

Nico Paz juggled the ball with his back to goal, but Alessandro Bastoni wouldn’t let him turn, then got a shot away from outside the area for a very tricky Martinez push round the far post.

Vojvoda threatened again when sending Francesco Acerbi to ground with a shimmy, drilling the finish across the face of goal and just wide.

Straight after the restart, Inter had their first genuine chance when Darmian’s cross-shot from the tightest of angles clipped the near post.

Moments later, Como wasted the most incredible scoring opportunity when Ivan Smolcic rolled across from the right only for Alex Valle to somehow prod wide from five yards.

Thuram came off the bench and had a shot charged down by Diego Carlos, but neither team managed to find a breakthrough.

It will all be decided at San Siro next month, to see who will face either Lazio or Atalanta in the Final.

Como 0-0 Inter

03-03-2026 20:00

1/2 Final

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Inter

0 - 0

Como

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

79'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

86'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

86'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

70'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

58'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

85'

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

58'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

68'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

58'

Substitutes

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

70'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

79'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

86'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

86'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

53

Matteo Lavelli

Attacker

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

58'

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

58'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

58'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

68'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

85'

Inter President Beppe Marotta hopes the Coppa Italia semi-final with Como can bring silverware, rules out Arsenal for Francesco Pio Esposito and hails ‘talent’ Nico Paz.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

This is the only stage of the competition played home and away, with the second leg planned for April 21 or 22, although a firm date has not been set.

Marotta looks to Inter present and future

The Nerazzurri are flying high at the top of the Serie A table with a 10-point gap, but crashed out of the Champions League after losing both home and away to Bodo/Glimt.

“We turned the page in the Champions League, naturally with regret, but we see it as a valuable learning experience,” Marotta told Sport Mediaset.

“Challenging in various different competitions means there are dangers, you can’t win them all. So that left us with bitter disappointment, but we keep going.”

When Inter met Como in Serie A back in December, they ran out 4-0 winners at San Siro, but this is a different competition.

This is an intriguing clash for the transfer market too, as Inter have been linked with a bid for Como starlet Nico Paz.

“Nico Paz is certainly an interesting talent who has a great career ahead of him, but he is owned by Real Madrid, they have a buy-back option with Como. I doubt Real Madrid will let him slip through their fingers, and we’ll hear a lot about him in the years to come.”

There were also reports that Arsenal had made enquiries after Inter centre-forward Pio Esposito, who has flourished this season at age 20.

“Arsenal did not ask for Pio Esposito, but also Inter are not a selling club, we don’t make player trading our main activity. Pio Esposito is a product of our youth academy and we treasure him,” replied Marotta.

“Of course, anything can happen in future, but that would only be very far into the future.”

With the Derby della Madonnina against Milan coming up on Sunday evening, there is some squad rotation, resting Marcus Thuram who is not at 100 per cent, with Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny already out of action.

“It won’t be decisive, there are still many games to go, many dangers, many points still up for grabs. It is important to give consistency, but you can’t just drop points against the big clubs, as the small ones have their dangers too,” concluded the President.

Como director of sport Carlalberto Ludi insists they ‘believe we can win every game’ going into the Coppa Italia semi-final with Inter, and is reassuring on the return of Nico Paz.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

This is the only stage of the competition played home and away, with the second leg planned for April 21 or 22, although a firm date has not been set.

Como have Coppa Italia ambition

“We believe that we can win every game, not that we want to be presumptuous, but that is what we believe,” director of sport Carlalberto Ludi told Sport Mediaset.

“This is our mentality. We won’t manage it every single game, obviously, but this has to be the approach from the club, the coach and the players, so we want to keep that going.”

There is some confusion over precisely how Como are setting out today, because there is no recognised centre-forward on the pitch, so either Nico Paz or Maxence Caqueret can play the False 9 role.

Martin Baturina is only fit for the bench, but Nico Paz returns after he was dropped against Lecce at the weekend, reportedly because he turned up late to a team meal.

“Everything is fine, Nico Paz is our little star, our reference point, our talent, so there’s no problem. He comes back stronger than ever.”

Como beat Juventus recently and held Milan to a draw, eliminating Napoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-final on penalties, but were crushed 4-0 by Inter in Serie A back in December 2025.

Inter are forced to reshuffle in attack with Andy Diouf and Francesco Pio Esposito, while Como bring back Nico Paz with Maxence Caqueret in the Coppa Italia semi-final.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

This is the only stage of the competition played home and away, with the second leg planned for April 21 or 22, although a firm date has not been set.

Cesc Fabregas has taken Como from Serie B to challenging for a Champions League spot this season, as well as this their first Coppa Italia semi-final for 40 years.

They eliminated Napoli on penalties in the quarter-final, and are coming off back-to-back wins against Juventus and Lecce to put them fifth in Serie A.

Marc-Oliver Kempf scored at the weekend, but is out with a hip injury, joining Jayden Addai in the stands.

Martin Baturina returns for a spot on the bench, with Edoardo Goldaniga and Assane Diao also recovering from injuries.

The big news is Nico Paz back in the starting XI after he was reportedly dropped against Lecce for turning up late to a team meal.

Diego Carlos steps into defence, but it remains to be seen if Nico Paz or Maxence Caqueret are acting as False 9, with both Lucas Da Cunha and Maxi Perrone potentially in a more advanced role too.

Inter are flying high at the top of the Serie A table, but crashed out of the Champions League to Bodo/Glimt, losing both home and away.

They are also down to the bare bones in attack, as after Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny injuries, Marcus Thuram is struggling too.

It means Pio Esposito is the only available striker, with Diouf moved into a more advanced role, although it’s entirely possible he can share that position with Davide Frattesi at different times of the match.

There is squad rotation for Matteo Darmian, Carlos Augusto, Francesco Acerbi and goalkeeper Josep Martinez.

Not counting the Champions League, Inter have won 12 of their last 13 games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, drawing 2-2 with Napoli.

They also beat Como 4-0 the last time these sides met at San Siro on December 6.

The Lariani have not won this Lombardy Derby since a 1-0 home result in December 1985, managing two draws in 14 competitive meetings.

Como vs. Inter official line-ups

Como: Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Sergi Roberto; Vojvoda, Da Cunha, Caqueret; Nico Paz

Como bench: Tornqvist, Vigorito, Cavlina, Goldaniga, Morata, Douvikas, Lahdo, Rodriguez, Moreno, Kuhn, Baturina, Diao, Van der Brempt

Inter: J Martinez; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi Sucic, Calhanoglu, Carlos Augusto; Diouf; Esposito

Inter bench: Sommer, Di Gennaro, Dumfries, De Vrij, Zielinski, Thuram, Luis Henrique, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Akanji, Dimarco, Lavelli

Ref: Di Bello

03-03-2026 20:00

1/2 Final

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Inter

0 - 0

Como

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

79'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

86'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

86'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

70'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

58'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

85'

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

58'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

68'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

58'

Substitutes

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

70'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

79'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

86'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

86'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

53

Matteo Lavelli

Attacker

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

58'

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

58'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

58'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

68'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

85'

Inter travel to Como for the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final this evening, with Cristian Chivu facing the delicate task of balancing cup ambition with one eye firmly on Sunday’s Milan derby.

Chivu will rotate, but not excessively. The bigger selection headache is in attack, where both Lautaro Martinez and Bonny are unavailable through injury.

The Argentine is targeting a return for the Fiorentina fixture, while Bonny is hoped to be fit in time for the derby. In their absence, Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito are expected to lead the line, though a lone striker option has not been ruled out.

Calhanoglu returns to the starting XI alongside Sucic and either Mkhitaryan or Frattesi in midfield, with Barella and Zielinski among those given a rest.

At the back, Acerbi and Bastoni come back in after suspension, while Carlos Augusto deputises for the rested Dimarco on the left flank.

Fabregas, by contrast, has no desire to rotate.

Nico Paz is expected to return to the starting lineup after being left out against Lecce.

Morata and Addai remain unavailable through injury, while Baturina is expected to feature from the bench after a lengthy absence. Diao is another attacking option in reserve.

Como Vs Inter – Probable Lineups & Where To Watch

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Nico Paz, Jesus Rodriguez; Douvikas.
Inter (3-5-2): Martinez; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Carlos Augusto; Thuram, Esposito.

How to watch: Live on Premier Sports Player in the UK.

Cesc Fabregas calls on Como fans to make their stadium ‘a little Bombonera’ for tomorrow’s historic Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

The semi-final is the only stage of the competition that is played over two legs, and the second will be at San Siro in April.

This is an historic moment for the club, who eliminated Napoli, Fiorentina and Sassuolo on their way to their first semi-final in 40 years.

Fabregas expects amazing Como atmosphere

“It is a big moment of the season, but we must give this game the importance that it deserves,” Fabregas told Como TV.

The Spaniard took inspiration from Boca Juniors and their iconic stadium in Buenos Aires.

“The stadium has to be like a little Bombonera tomorrow. We hope to have a good game. We’ve got to take it one game at a time, as this is a long season for us, and we’ll see how many we manage to win from here to the end.”

Inter are the favourites, sitting 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, but were eliminated from the Champions League in back-to-back defeats with Bodo/Glimt.

“Inter are the strongest team in the league, they have been for years really, and have great players,” continued Fabregas.

“We will try to put in a great performance, knowing their strengths, and their few weaknesses. We’ll try to hurt them.”

When these teams met in Serie A, Como suffered a 4-0 defeat at San Siro, the sixth consecutive loss against them in all competition.

Como will face Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday, so Cesc Fabregas is trying to gain inspiration from their Champions League victors Bodo/Glimt.

The first leg of the semi-final kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

Inter are the hot favourites, as they sit 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, winning 13 of their last 14 games in the league.

Fabregas wants Como to follow Bodo/Glimt model

However, the Nerazzurri were beaten home and away by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League play-offs, for a final 5-2 aggregate result, with an approach that impressed Como boss Fabregas.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, it prompted the coach to study the Norwegians carefully, including inviting their staff to lunch last week.

Fabregas wanted to meet with their nutritionists and fitness staff, picking their brains on the details of how they get their players in shape.

Both Como and Bodo/Glimt already use an app to help their players log everything they eat during their time off, helping the staff to keep up with nutrition.

Over the last few days, it is reported Fabregas also asked Como to install a big screen at their training ground, so he can show the players their movements in real time using a drone hovering over the pitch.

It is not an entirely new idea, as it was already adopted by Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain, who also crushed Inter 5-0 in the Champions League Final last season.

Inter star Piotr Zielinski says that winning the domestic double would be ‘fantastic’ but warns that Cesc Fabregas’ Como, their opponents in the Coppa Italia semis, have ‘outstanding’ quality.

Inter will visit Como on Tuesday in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal. The Nerazzurri boss, Cristian Chivu, didn’t talk to the media on the eve of the game, but sent Poland international Zielinski instead.

Como vs. Inter – Zielinski’s pre-match quotes

“Winning the double would be fantastic, and we’ll do anything to win these important trophies. It’s all in our hands,” Zielinski told Sport Mediaset via FcInter1908.

Zielinski has become a regular starter at the Stadio Meazza this season. This past Saturday, he let Hakan Calhanoglu take a penalty kick in a 2-0 win over Genoa.

It was Inter’s first game after their Champions League elimination at the hands of Bodo/Glimt.

“He [Calhanoglu] has so much quality in his feet, and it was right that he took the penalty against Genoa,” Zielinski said.

“Our fans were fantastic, and they supported us against Genoa. We were disappointed, but we gave an appropriate reply.”

Inter’s next Serie A match is against their city rivals Milan, but before that, they must face Como in Coppa Italia.

“They [Como] have a lot of quality, so we’ll have to pay attention,” Zielinski concluded.

“I was struck by their organisation, they play fantastic football with outstanding quality and have a great coach like Fabregas.

“Nico Paz is an ace; he has great numbers, and we’ll have to pay attention.”

Inter are the Serie A table leaders with a 10-point lead over second-placed Milan.