THE GREAT DIVIDE: INTER MILAN PULL 10 POINTS CLEAR AS JUVENTUS FACE TOP-FOUR COLLAPSE
Inter Milan is running away with it! Discover how they moved 10 points clear while Juventus suffered a historic home loss to Como.
Inter Milan didn’t need to be flashy on Saturday. Two late goals from substitutes Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Manuel Akanji were enough for a 2-0 win at Lecce, and with that, Inter stretched its Serie A lead to 10 points.
Both guys only came on for the final half hour. Mkhitaryan found himself wide open at the back post and tucked away Federico Dimarco’s corner in the 75th minute. Akanji finished the job, heading in from another corner just seven minutes later.
“We knew they’d run out of gas in the second half, so we kept pushing,” Mkhitaryan said.
Dimarco thought he’d scored right after halftime, but VAR wiped it out. Marcus Thuram was offside. He almost scored again, only for Lecce to clear his shot off the line. But in the end, he set up Akanji’s goal from the corner.
Inter had to make do without Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
“Sometimes we’re brilliant in big games, and sometimes not,” Akanji said afterwards. “But there’s only one Inter. Sure, we lost to Bodø/Glimt last time in the Champions League, but we’re still the same team, and we can do great things.”
That 3-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt hangs over them, with the Norwegian underdogs coming to Milan for the second leg on Tuesday.
Saturday’s win makes it seven in a row in the league for Inter, now 10 points ahead of AC Milan, who play Parma on Sunday.
Juventus’ rough patch continues.
Things just keep getting worse for Juventus. After a 5-2 hammering at Galatasaray in the Champions League playoffs, they lost again, this time 2-0 at home to Como, and their Champions League hopes are fading fast.
Como took the lead early. Mërgim Vojvoda scored with a shot Michele Di Gregorio really should’ve kept out, after Weston McKennie lost the ball in midfield. The home crowd let Juve know how they felt with whistles at halftime, and it didn’t get any better after the break.
Lucas da Cunha broke through and teed up Maxence Caqueret for Como’s second in the 61st minute.
That’s three straight losses for Juventus in all competitions. They haven’t won in five games.
“We made too many mistakes, and most of our problems were our own doing,” coach Luciano Spalletti admitted. “The pressure got to us. The quality’s still there, but right now, we’re not showing it. We’re missing a bit of unity, a bit of grit. We need to step up.”
Juve stays fifth, a point behind Roma, who face Cremonese on Sunday. Como sits sixth, just a point behind Juventus. Only the top four teams get a Champions League spot.
In Saturday’s late game, Cagliari and Lazio played out a goalless draw. Cagliari’s Yerry Mina picked up a second yellow late on for a tactical foul just outside the box.
NAPOLI AND INTER MILAN LAUNCH BIDDING WAR FOR COMO STAR MAXIMO PERRONE
Maximo Perrone is the target of a €50m bidding war between Napoli and Inter after leading Como to fourth in Serie A.
Maximo Perrone has emerged as a standout performer this season for Como, attracting considerable attention from top clubs. Como, having established themselves among Italy’s football elite and eyeing a spot in the Champions League, rely heavily on Perrone’s creativity and influence. Once a lesser-known figure, the former Manchester City midfielder has become a central figure in Fabregas’s team, and now several major clubs are lining up for his signature. This summer promises a competitive battle, with Inter and Napoli showing serious interest. But Como, bolstered by their impending European campaign, is unlikely to let him go without a fight.
Looking closer at the interest from Italy’s giants, journalist Matteo Moretto recently shared insights on YouTube, highlighting Inter and Napoli as the two main contenders. Inter have praised Perrone and clearly rate him, although they haven’t yet approached his representatives directly. Napoli, on the other hand, seems more proactive. They have monitored Perrone for some time and view him as a realistic addition, especially following a specific request from coach Conte. Conte, who has indicated his intention to stay with Napoli but will discuss plans at season’s end, sees Perrone as a key piece, particularly if Stanislav Lobotka departs next summer. Even if Lobotka stays, Perrone’s arrival remains a possibility.
Despite growing interest, Como holds the cards here. They are financially stable and preparing to embark on their first European adventure, whether that’s in the Champions League or the Europa League is still unclear. After taking Perrone on loan from Manchester City, Como acquired his rights last summer, though City retained 30 per cent of any future resale. This project around Lake Como is in its early stages, making the idea of selling such a vital player complicated. The club’s willingness to sell, the price set, and the offers they receive will all shape what happens next.
Perrone, under contract until 2029, is in the best form of his young career. At 23, he’s featured in 31 games this season, contributing two goals and four assists, consistently anchoring the midfield in Fabregas’s tactical setup, a system the Argentine shapes with deliberate control. It’s this partnership that the transfer market will undoubtedly try to disrupt in the coming months.
CESC FABREGAS BLASTS GASPERINI OVER HANDSHAKE SNUB FOLLOWING COMO’S VICTORY OVER ROMA
Cesc Fabregas blasts Gian Piero Gasperini for refusing a handshake after Como defeated Roma 2-1 to reach fourth place.
This past weekend saw a tense moment between Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder turned Como manager, and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Como’s 2-1 win over Roma. Fabregas, who took charge of Como in July 2024 and has quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s promising young managers, has led the team to fourth place in Serie A, pushing them toward a surprising shot at Champions League qualification, a milestone in the club’s history.
The victory itself was key for Como’s ambitions, but the post-match atmosphere was anything but smooth. Fabregas shared his frustration about Gasperini refusing to shake his hand at the final whistle. For Fabregas, the handshake is a simple but important gesture of respect and sportsmanship, regardless of emotions or results. He said, “Whether I’m angry, sent off, or feel the referee has wronged me, I always go to shake my opponent’s hand after the match." It’s about respect, and I was disappointed by what happened. Even when you lose, you always offer that hand.”
Fabregas explained that while he understands different cultures approach these things differently, for him, once the game is over, competition ends, and respect should remain. Gasperini, known for his stints with Inter Milan and Atalanta, didn’t shy away from explaining his side. The 68-year-old was critical of Como’s conduct both on and off the pitch, saying, “Como is a strong team, but I don’t respect their behaviour on the pitch or on the bench.”
Part of the tension seemed to spark after Roma’s defender Wesley, got sent off just after the 60-minute mark, receiving a second yellow card. Gasperini implied that Fabregas and his staff had influenced the referee’s decision by pushing claims of simulation. This disagreement added fuel to the post-match exchange, highlighting the competitive edge and complex dynamics between these two managers as they vie for top spots in Serie A.
