Inter Milan are vying to win a rare double this season as they enter the two-legged Coppa Italia semi-final against high-flying Como.

Como have hit a bit of form at this stage of the season, and that could serve them well in their quests ahead, including the clash with Inter Milan this week. The team managed by Cesc Fabregas are currently chasing a top-four spot, having moved to fifth place at the weekend following a win over US Lecce and leapfrogging Juventus in the process.

Incidentally, Fabregas’s men achieved the double over the Turin giants in the game before last, which has showcased their seriousness about qualifying for the Champions League. Now, the Spanish manager will turn his focus to the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg at home against Inter Milan, with the competition offering a unique opportunity to further test his Como side against one of the country’s biggest teams.

Unlike some of their other rivals, Como had to take the longer route to book their first cup semi-final appearance in 40 years. They eliminated Sudtirol and then Sassuolo, before securing an away win over Fiorentina to set up a big clash with Serie A champions Napoli. Fabregas’s men then edged Antonio Conte’s men in a penalty shoot-out, which has now seen them set up a date with Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, Cristian Chivu has a chance to make his mark in his first season as Inter Milan boss by achieving a rare double. The Nerazzurri last secured a standalone league and cup double in 2006, but they also won both trophies in 2009 during their treble-winning campaign under José Mourinho, which included the Champions League.

Chivu has the Serie A title race under total control, with Inter Milan leading by ten points with 11 games to play. At the moment, the Nerazzurri are the clear favourites to win the title, and it is the Coppa Italia they will target next, having been eliminated from other competitions such as the Supercoppa Italiana and, more recently, the Champions League at the hands of Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

Hence, this upcoming Coppa Italia two-legged semi-final affair with Como is very important for Inter Milan. The visitors only have these games and a relatively comfortable league run-in to focus on for the remainder of the campaign, and they will hope to get the job done.

Team News & Tactics

Como

Como head coach Cesc Fabregas might have to make do without Martin Baturina and Jayden Addai ahead of this game against Inter Milan.

However, key attacker Assane Diao made his comeback at the weekend, and it remains to be seen whether the manager chooses to give him a start. Fabregas will once again hand the creative keys to star man Nico Paz.

A back four of Ivan Smolcic, Jacobo Ramon, Diego Carlos, and Alex Valle is expected to line up for Como against Inter Milan this week. Fabregas will prefer Maximo Perrone and skipper Lucas Da Cunha in midfield, with Anastasios Douvikas set to lead the line for the home side.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Paz, Rodriguez; Douvikas.

Inter Milan

Cristian Chivu could tinker with his squad selection for this first-leg semi-final, with skipper Lautaro Martinez still sidelined with a calf injury. Once again, the manager must choose two strikers from his available options of Francesco Pio Esposito, Marcus Thuram, and Ange-Yoan Bonny to lead the line.

Alessandro Bastoni is available after serving a domestic suspension, with the key defender set to return to the line-up. Chivu could also use Josep Martinez in goal instead of Yann Sommer, with the former preferred in cup competitions this season. This game also presents an opportunity to start some key stars and hand them minutes, with Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries among those in line to feature.

One player who is set to start owing to his current form is Federico Dimarco, with the left-sided defender scoring at the weekend and remaining in imperious form. Chivu will be able to start his first-choice midfield trio of Nicolo Barella, Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the first time in a while.

Probable Line-up (3-5-2): Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito.

Key Stats

• Inter have won their last six matches against Como in all competitions
• Inter have scored at least two goals in their last six matches against Como in all competitions.
• Inter have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six matches against Como in all competitions.
• Como are in a cup semi-final for the first time in 40 years

Player to Watch

Nico Paz

Embed from Getty Images

The Argentine talent has 15 goal contributions this season and is once again proving that he is Como’s main man in the final third. Cesc Fabregas will look to Nico Paz to provide the creative spark in this crucial first-leg semi-final against Inter Milan, but he must overcome several challenges ahead.

The Inter Milan clash offers plenty of roadblocks for Fabregas to manoeuvre around, and he will need Paz to unlock an otherwise formidable Nerazzurri backline. This game is also a chance for Paz to make a big statement, and if he performs at his best, Como will give themselves a real shot at getting one over Inter.

Prediction

Como 1-1 Inter Milan

Inter Milan will be under some pressure to deliver against a Como side that have been in flying form of late. Cristian Chivu is certainly dreaming of completing a rare double this season, but he must tinker smartly and unlock the opposition with his methods.

Como are under less pressure than Inter, as their run to the semi-final is already seen as a rousing success in the domestic cup. They will view a top-four place as the priority, but this opportunity to reach the final will also be high on Fabregas’s mind. The game is poised to end in an entertaining draw, with the finalist to face one of Atalanta or Lazio likely to be decided at San Siro.