The key facts

  • Inter beat Como 2-0 and reached 28 points, taking second place in Serie A
  • Esposito and Thuram scored seven minutes apart in the first half
  • Como suffered their first league defeat since September and remained fifth with 23 points

Inter return to second place

Defending champions Inter Milan beat Como 2-0 at home in Matchday 11 of the Italian Serie A and moved up to second place in the standings, Anadolu reports. Cristian Chivu's side ended their winless run, while Cesc Fabregas' Como suffered their first league defeat since September.

Course of the match

Both goals came in the first half, seven minutes apart. In the 12th minute, Djed Spence delivered a low cross from the right flank, and Francesco Pio Esposito finished it off from close range at the near post. In the 19th minute, Marcus Thuram doubled the lead, tapping in after Como defender Alex Valle failed to clear Piotr Zielinski's low cross. Como responded with dangerous moments: in the 5th minute, Nico Paz fired over the crossbar from the edge of the box after a quick counterattack, and in the 84th minute his shot hit the woodwork. In the second half, Federico Dimarco's powerful strike, after a slight deflection, went into the side netting.

Standings

The win lifted Inter to second place with 28 points — one point behind leaders Lazio, who drew 1-1 with Napoli the same day. Como remained fifth with 23 points, six points off the top. In other Sunday matches, Genoa lost 1-2 to Milan, while Monza fell 0-1 to Atalanta.