Article by Alexandru Stanciu, Romeo Ene – Published on Wednesday, 04 March 2026, 00:03 / Updated on Wednesday, 04 March 2026 00:04
Inter Lui Cristi Chivu (45 years old) left undefeated from the field of the Come onscore 0-0, in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Italian Cup. Although they suffered in front of the students of Cesc Fabregas (38 years old), the Milanese keep the first chance to qualify before the return from “Giuseppe Meazza”, scheduled for April 22.
The duel was one of attrition, in which his students Fabregas they controlled hostilities for most of the time. Como started bravely, taking advantage of the “Nerazzurri's” defensive hesitations.
In the 17th minute, Vojvoda wasted the first great opportunity of the match, being blocked in extremis by Martinez after an error in the guests' defensive compartment.
Nico Paz tested the alertness of Chivu's goalkeeper with a crafty shot from distance (37'), but the score remained intact at the break, despite the hosts' territorial dominance.
Shock at the start of the second half and an ugly finish
Immediately after leaving the booths, Inter was one step away from striking against the course of the game. Dimarco sent a tracer from a closed angle, but the ball hit the goalpost defended by Butez, thus wasting the Milanese's only real chance.
Alex Valle, Como's left-back, went wide in the 49th minute, sending a shot wide of the goal.
The final statistic is worrying for Chivu: Inter finished the game without a single shot on target, a rare counter-performance.
Even after the introduction of Luis Henrique, the Nerazzurri could not find a way to Butez's goal, settling for a clean draw that leaves the fate of qualification open for the second leg in Milan.
In the last minutes, Inter's footballers passed to each other without being attacked by the opponents. The audience sanctioned the gesture and started booing the guests.
The other semi-final takes place on Wednesday, March 4, when Lazio host Atalanta.
For Inter, the great derby with AC Milan follows, scheduled for March 8, starting at 21:45.
FINAL » Como – Inter 0-0
Minute 90+4: Final match! Inter came for an equalizer and got it. He refused to attack the goal in the final minutes and kept the ball in his own half.
Minute 90+3: In the last minutes, Inter's footballers passed to each other without being attacked by the opponents. The audience sanctioned the gesture and started booing the guests. “It's like non-combat,” the game commentators on Voyo also said.
The 90th minute: The game was extended by 3 minutes.
The 80th minute: Two more changes at Como: Valle and Vojvoda leave, Van der Brempt and Alberto Moreno enter. 56% – 44% possession ratio at this point and 1-0 shots on goal in favor of Como. No shine finish.
The 70th minute: Fabregas also moves, for the first time in this match: Sergi Roberto leaves, Assane Diao enters
The 69th minute: The fourth change at Inter: Diouf leaves, Luis Henrique enters. Chivu's team didn't have a shot on goal!
The 58th minute: Three changes at Inter: out Darmian, Calhanoglu and Esposito, in Dumfries, Zielinski and Thuram.
The 49th minute: Huge chance for Como! Alex Valle took a pass inside the box and sent the ball narrowly wide of Chivu's team goal.
Minute 47: Bar Inter! The first opportunity for Chivu's team comes at the start of the second half. From a tricky angle, Dimarco took Butez's left post on target.
Minute 45: The first half was extended by one minute.
The 42nd minute: Another chance for Fabregas' team! Vojvoda did what he wanted from Inter's defence, but shot just wide with the outside of his right foot.
The 37th minute: Opportunity for Como! Nico Paz shoots from distance, the ball catches the ground and is denied with difficulty by Martinez. No shots on goal for Inter until this minute.
Minute 17: The first opportunity belongs to those from Como! Vojvoda takes advantage of an error in Inter's defense, escapes alone with Martinez, but is blocked by Chivu's goalkeeper.
Minute 1: Start match! About 10,000 spectators in attendance.
Starting teams in Como – Inter
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez – Smoicic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle – S. Roberto, Perrone – Vojvoda, Da Cunha, Caqueret – Paz
reserves: Cavlina, Tornqvist, Vigorito, Baturina, Diao, Douvikas, Goldaniga, Kuhn, Lahdo, Morata, A. Moreno, J. Rodriguez, Van der Brempt
Coach: Cesc Fabregas
Inter (3-5-2): J. Martinez – Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni – Darmian, Sucic, Calhanoglu, Frattesi, Carlos Augusto – Diouf, Esposito
reserves: Sommer, Di Gennaro, Akanji, de Vrij, Dimarco, Dumfries, Lavelli, Luis Henrique, Mkhitaryan, Thuram, Zielinski
Coach: Cristi Chivu
