Como led Inter 2-0 at San Siro and looked set for a historic Coppa Italia final, but Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s brace and a late Petar Sucic strike completed a 3-2 comeback, sending Cesc Fàbregas’s young side out. The result underlines Como’s extraordinary rise from bankruptcy to genuine contenders, while exposing the experience gap that still separates them from Italy’s elite.
Inter stage dramatic comeback to beat Como 3-2 and reach Coppa Italia final
Como took a shock 2-0 lead at San Siro through Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha, only to see Inter overturn the tie as Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored twice and Petar Sucic struck the decisive blow. The 3-2 scoreline on the night ended Como’s fairytale run and confirmed Inter’s experience and composure in pressure moments.
How the game unfolded
Como’s plan, executed from a three-man defence, looked to have unsettled Inter early. Baturina opened the scoring and Da Cunha doubled the advantage, leaving the minnows on the brink of a first Coppa Italia final since 1986. A key chance to make it 3-1 — a one-on-one for Diao — was missed, and momentum shifted after Çalhanoğlu pulled a goal back on 69 minutes. That strike proved the catalyst: Inter grew into the match, and Sucic’s finish completed the comeback.
Tactical notes: what worked and what didn’t
Fàbregas’s three-man backline initially contained Inter’s attack and allowed Como to play with confidence. The setup highlighted Como’s organizational progress and tactical discipline under their young coach. But once Inter found rhythm, the lack of cutting-edge strength in both penalty areas was exposed. Como’s defensive structure held for long stretches, but in key moments they lacked the veteran leadership and clinical finishing to close out the tie.
Fàbregas reaction: proud but realistic
Cesc Fàbregas struck a measured tone after the defeat, emphasising the scale of Como’s transformation in two and a half years. He declined to frame the loss as a disaster and instead pointed to the club’s trajectory — from bankruptcy in 2017 and Serie C until 2021 to genuine contenders for a major final. “Are we on the same level as Inter? No, but we are close,” he said, conceding his squad still needs growth in decisive moments.
Leadership and learning curves
Fàbregas highlighted the difference in experience: Inter’s core of internationals, many seasoned together for years, contrasts with Como’s reliance on youth. The coach also noted absences and limitations on the night — Vojvoda unavailable, Diao restricted to about 20 minutes — which compounded the challenge. His perspective was clear: progress matters more than immediate results, and this campaign has provided valuable benchmarks.
Context: Como’s rapid rise and its limits
Como’s story is one of meteoric ascent. Reborn after financial collapse, the club climbed from Serie C to competing toe-to-toe with Serie A heavyweights in the Coppa Italia within a few seasons. They are now among Europe’s most youth-centric sides, regularly fielding Under-23 talents and developing players on the job.
Yet the San Siro defeat exposed why experience remains a currency in knockout football. Small margins and pressure moments often favor teams with tournament know-how. For Como, the gap is narrowing, but finishing touches — both in attack and in defensive leadership — remain unfinished business.
What this means going forward
Como’s campaign should be read as a success with constructive lessons. The club has proven it can unsettle giants and manufacture results through tactical planning and youthful energy. Immediate priorities are clear: add experienced heads who can influence late-game scenarios, maintain the developmental pathway for U23 talent, and build consistency across competitions.
For Inter, the comeback underlined their status as a seasoned unit capable of turning matches when it matters, a reminder of why they remain favourites in domestic cup competition.
Final take
The Coppa Italia exit is a painful but instructive milestone for Como. Cesc Fàbregas has fast-tracked a compelling rebuild, and the club now sits tantalisingly close to the elite.
Coppa Italia | Inter 3-2 Como: Incredible fight back for spot in Final
The next steps — shoring up the penalty-area presence, recruiting targeted experience, and converting promising performances into silverware — will define whether Como’s rise is a temporary surge or the start of sustainable success.
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