Inter Crush Como to Claim Serie A Summit Before Liverpool Clash
Inter Milan surged to the top of Serie A on Saturday by demolishing in-form Como 4-0 at the San Siro, setting the stage nicely for their upcoming Champions League encounter with beleaguered Liverpool.
The forward duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram found the net once in each half, with Hakan Calhanoglu and Carlos Augusto adding late strikes to secure a comfortable triumph that placed Inter two points clear of both AC Milan and Napoli, who still have matches to play.
Napoli, the defending champions, face arch-rivals Juventus on Sunday evening, while Milan are expected to edge ahead of their city foes again when they travel to Torino on Monday.
"We demonstrated our quality today against a strong Como outfit," Martinez commented.
"It highlights our determination to rack up as many points as possible. This is an excellent result for the team."
This victory served as ideal preparation for Tuesdays showdown against Liverpool, a fixture that could determine if Cristian Chivus squad advances straight to the Champions League knockout stage.
A positive note for Chivu came from the impressive performance of Luis Henrique at right wing-back, a role that has plagued Inter since Denzel Dumfries suffered an ankle knock last month.
Henrique played a pivotal part in Martinezs goal in the 11th minute, charging forward from deep, twisting inside, and delivering a precise pass to his skipper, who claimed his seventh league strike of the season and extended his lead at the top of the scoring charts.
Thuram then marked his return from a September hamstring issue with his first Serie A goal since, prodding in from close range in the 59th minute following pandemonium in the Como box from a Federico Dimarco corner, despite the visitors dominating early in the second period and squandering fine opportunities through Tasos Douvikas and Alex Valle.
Under Cesc Fabregas, Como slipped to fifth place, now trailing Inter by six points after enduring their initial loss since August, a margin widened by Calhanoglus seventh goal of the campaign in the 81st minute and a superb volley from Carlos Augusto moments later.
"Analysing a 4-0 loss is tough. It was a significant setback, yet I did not notice a vast gap between the sides this evening," Fabregas maintained.
"Outcomes like this foster growth. Substantial losses teach the deepest lessons."
Fiorentinas Struggles Deepen
Fiorentina sank further into turmoil with a 3-1 reversal at newly promoted Sassuolo, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table without a victory all season.
Former home to legends such as Gabriel Batistuta and Rui Costa, and a sixth-placed team last term, Fiorentina have garnered only six points from 14 outings.
Despite support from around 4,000 away followers, the "Viola" were woeful in Reggio Emilia, succumbing to their eighth league defeat after taking an early lead via Rolando Mandragoras penalty in the ninth minute.
Cristian Volpato restored parity for Sassuolo with a deflected effort just five minutes on. Tarik Muharemovic handed the hosts a merited advantage right before the interval, heading in his maiden Serie A goal after being left unmarked in the Fiorentina box.
Thereafter, Fiorentina offered little threat of recovery, and Ismael Kone wrapped up the win for Sassuolo in the 65th minute, soon after Volpatos stunning attempt was disallowed for what appeared a minor infringement on Fabiano Parisi.
This call enraged Sassuolos eighth-placed manager Fabio Grosso, who earned a red card for protesting.
Grossos opposite number, Paolo Vanoli, recently appointed at Fiorentina, vented frustration from the touchline to little effect as his charges remained six points adrift of salvation with barely a third of the campaign elapsed.
Raffaele Palladino aims to build on his promising beginnings as Atalanta boss, a position he assumed last month following his departure from Fiorentina in the off-season, when they face Verona in the evenings closing match.