Inter vs. Como, the dance of the No.10s
Some are aiming for the summit, others want to keep following the path of the giants. Their journeys and objectives may differ, but Inter and Como share plenty in common. Underestimating the challenge is out of the question – Cristian Chivu knows that well, with the Romanian tactician ready to further prove his credentials as Inter’s coach in what promises to be a big match. After all, Como have grown enough to shed their Cinderella status. Serie A Enilive brings us this exciting clash at 18:00 CET on Saturday, with both coaches hoping to avoid losing ground in the scramble at the top of the table.
The teams’ record against fellow challengers
Victory in Pisa has injected fresh confidence into the Nerazzurri, who were quick to move on from their derby defeat. Now, the focus turns to improving their record against direct rivals in the table. In this first part of the season, Chivu saw his side win against Roma at the Olimpico, but defeats to Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan remain sore points that need to be addressed promptly. At Como, the story remains the same: try to impress and keep raising the bar. Cesc Fàbregas’ side have already faced several of the league’s top teams, losing just once (on matchday two at Bologna) and proving themselves a serious contender in the fight for Europe. Perhaps their most impressive performance came on matchday 10 at the Stadio Maradona: the game ended 0-0, with Napoli pressing hard in the final minutes, but Como more than showed their worth, taking the game to their opponents and even missing a first-half penalty.
Argentine tango
Talent on the pitch will certainly not be in short supply, and the numbers back it up: Chivu is in charge of the league’s most prolific attack (28 goals scored), while Fàbregas has a rock-solid defence (just seven goals conceded, the best record in the league alongside Roma). Among the many stars ready to make their mark on a special night, the spotlight falls on the Argentine duel between the two technical leaders of their respective sides: Lautaro Martínez versus Nico Paz. Now regular teammates at international level, both wearing the number 10 in club football, they will attempt to tilt the delicate balance of the match. Their stories converge on the same stage, two Argentines charging forward, each with a presence that demands attention.
Lautaro joined Inter in 2018 after developing at Racing Club and already making a name for himself in domestic Argentine football. His rise in the Nerazzurri shirt has seen him reach double figures in goals every season from his second onwards, bringing his Inter tally to 163 thanks to his recent brace at Pisa. Those strikes at the Cetilar Arena allowed the Bahia Blanca-born striker to reach two major milestones: he became the only player to score against 29 different teams in Italy, and he also surpassed Sandro Mazzola (161 goals) to claim sole ownership of fourth place in Inter’s all-time scoring charts. Last time out, he reached ten goals for the season in just over three months (six in the league, four in the Champions League); the total rises to 13 if his international goals are included, with strikes against Puerto Rico (a brace) and Angola.
Flying side by side from Argentina, delivering an assist for his international teammate/Inter rival against Puerto Rico, and now ready to step onto the Giuseppe Meazza stage: Nico Paz is impossible to ignore, even in just his second Serie A Enilive season. Fire in his eyes, class in his veins, and destiny written in the numbers he’s producing on the pitch. The match at La Scala del Calcio could reveal the true ambitions of Fàbregas and his players, with plenty of eyes watching. For Nico, the Selección was a choice of the heart: born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, he inherited South American passion from his father, Pablo (a former player and Argentina international in the late ’90s). Real Madrid brought him on board in 2016, nurturing his talent through their youth system. La Fábrica, the academy of Los Blancos, proved the perfect place to give Nico Paz full freedom to express his talent. He made his first-team debut in November 2023 and, a few weeks later, scored against Napoli in the Champions League, officially announcing himself on the European stage. His journey with Como began in 2024: six goals and nine assists arrived in his debut season, and he has now made a flying start to the current campaign (already five goals and five assists). On 19 October, he was an inspirational figure for his side against Juventus at the Stadio Sinigaglia, a clear demonstration of how this young talent can shape games, even in the most delicate moments. On Saturday evening, the other number ten (that of Inter) will be on the opposite side, ready to test his character: a fleeting smile, an exchange of glances, and then straight into the game, determined to take everything on offer. Lautaro versus Nico: let’s enjoy the spectacle. (Photo Getty Images)