Inter Bounce Back After Derby Loss, Pio Esposito and Thuram on Target to Secure Second Place, Only One Point Behind Lazio | Serie A 2026/27

Inter bounced back in the best possible way. Just one week after losing the Milan derby, the Nerazzurri produced a statement 2-0 win over Como at San Siro on Sunday, November 8, 2026, to move back into second place in Serie A - just one point behind leaders Lazio.

Francesco Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram struck in the opening 20 minutes to end Como's six-match winning run and send the reigning champions into the international break with momentum, belief, and a perfect home record still intact.

According to AFP's match report, Inter "claimed a statement 2-0 win over Como on Sunday to move just one point behind Serie A leaders Lazio" - with both goals coming in the opening 20 minutes. [Source: AFP via Arab News]

Inter vs Como 2-0 - Match Summary

Inter came out flying. After the disappointment of the derby defeat, Cristian Chivu's side knew only a win would do - and they played like it from the first whistle.

Como arrived at San Siro full of confidence. Cesc Fabregas' side had won six games in a row in all competitions, including a historic 9-1 demolition of Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday - the biggest away win in Champions League history. That run was confirmed by AFP in its match report. [Source: AFP via Gulf Times]

But San Siro is different. Inter are the only team in Serie A with a perfect home record this season, and they showed why.

Inside 12 minutes, Inter were ahead. Inside 20 minutes, the game was effectively over. Como never recovered.

Inter 2-0 Como	Serie A 2026/27
Stadium: San Siro, Milan	Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Goals: Esposito 12', Thuram 20'	Man of the Match: Marcus Thuram
Result: Inter 2nd, 1 point behind Lazio	Como: Drop to 5th, overtaken by Milan

Match Timeline - How Inter Won It in 20 Minutes

12' - GOAL! Inter 1-0 Como - Francesco Pio Esposito

Inter's fast start finally pays off. As per AFP: "Esposito tapping in an inviting Djed Spence cross after 12 minutes." Marcus Thuram started the move, driving inside the box from the right flank before reversing the ball to Spence, who played it across for Esposito to steer home from close range. It was Esposito's first Serie A goal in nearly two months.

20' - GOAL! Inter 2-0 Como - Marcus Thuram

Thuram turns from provider to scorer. As per AFP: "A poor clearance dropped invitingly into Thuram's path in the box and the France international lashed a shot past Robert Sanchez." The ball came from Piotr Zielinski's fizzing cross that Alex Valle failed to clear. Thuram wasted no time - he drilled a near-post shot through Sanchez's legs. His sixth goal of the season.

Second Half - Inter Control, Como Chase

Inter manage the game like champions. Federico Dimarco and Thuram both threaten a third, with Thuram going close to his first brace since April's meeting with Como. Como barely create anything - until the final minute, when Nico Paz clips the crossbar with their only real chance of the game. AFP noted that Como produced a "characteristically muted display" after their Champions League heroics. [Source: AFP]

Full-Time: Inter 2-0 Como

A statement win. Clean sheet. Two early goals. Second place secured.

Tactical Analysis - Why Inter Were Too Much for Como

1. The Fast Start Killed Como's Confidence

Como wanted to play their football, to build from the back like they did against Lens. Inter didn't let them. The high press, the intensity, the early runs in behind - it was all designed to remind Como that San Siro is not Lens.

2. Thuram - The Complete Forward

Thuram was unplayable in the first 20 minutes. He created the first goal with a driving run and a clever reverse pass, then scored the second with pure striker instinct. He held the ball up, ran the channels, and linked everything. This was his best performance of the season.

3. Esposito - The Future is Now

Francesco Pio Esposito keeps delivering in big moments. His movement in the box is elite for his age, and his finish was calm and clinical. Inter have been waiting for a young Italian striker to step up - Esposito is answering that call.

Esposito is becoming Inter's breakthrough star this season. He was also on target in Inter Milan 4-1 Monza: Nerazzurri Begin With a Convincing Victory, where Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Pio Esposito and Bisseck all found the net.

4. Defensive Control

After the two goals, Inter didn't get careless. They stayed compact, controlled possession, and limited Como to almost nothing. Nico Paz's late effort hitting the crossbar was Como's only real threat all game. That is championship defending.

Player Ratings - Inter vs Como

Player	Rating	Verdict
Marcus Thuram	9 / 10	1 goal, 1 assist, Man of the Match
Francesco Pio Esposito	8.5 / 10	Opening goal, brilliant movement
Djed Spence	8 / 10	Assist for Esposito, constant threat
Piotr Zielinski	7.5 / 10	Key cross for Thuram goal
Federico Dimarco	7.5 / 10	Threatened a third in second half
Inter Defence	8 / 10	Clean sheet, Como limited to 1 chance

Serie A Standings - After Inter 2-0 Como

This win changes the title race completely.

As reported by AFP, "Inter jumped back into second as a thrilling title race heats up, with two points separating Lazio from third-placed Roma" - while Lazio dropped points for just the second time this season at Napoli. [Source: AFP via Gulf Times]

Lazio remain top, but they were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Napoli, where Davide Frattesi's opener was cancelled out by an Alfonso Pedraza own goal - also confirmed by AFP.

That means:

• 1st - Lazio: Leaders, but now only 1 point ahead of Inter
• 2nd - Inter: Back in second, perfect home record, title race wide open
• 3rd - Roma: Just 2 points behind Lazio
• 4th - AC Milan: Leapfrog Como into 4th on 24 points after 2-1 win over Genoa - as reported by AFP: "Cesc Fabregas' side were outclassed in defeat at San Siro, allowing AC Milan to leapfrog them into fourth on 24 points after Alphadjo Cisse and Christian Pulisic struck in a 2-1 win over Genoa."
• 5th - Como: Drop to 5th after defeat at San Siro

Two points separate Lazio from third-placed Roma. One point separates Lazio from Inter. This is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling Serie A title races in years.

What This Win Means for Inter

1. Derby Defeat Forgotten: Losing the Milan derby hurts. But bouncing back with a dominant win over an in-form Como side shows character. This team doesn't dwell on defeats.

This was not Inter's first statement win of the season. The Nerazzurri had already shown their character in Venezia 0-2 Inter: Two Late Own Goals Hand the Nerazzurri Three Points, where they left Venice with all three points despite a tense game.

2. Title Race is On: Inter are now just one point behind Lazio going into the international break. With their home form and squad depth, they are very much favourites to reclaim top spot.

3. Esposito + Thuram Partnership: The combination of Esposito's movement and Thuram's power is becoming Inter's biggest weapon. When they click like this, Inter are almost unstoppable.

4. Confidence Before the Break: Going into the international break in second place, with a clean sheet and a statement win, is exactly what Chivu wanted.

What's Next?

Inter go into the international break in second place, one point behind Lazio. When Serie A returns, the Nerazzurri will look to continue their perfect home record and put pressure on the leaders.

Before this win, Inter had suffered a painful European night in Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan: Mbappe and Valverde Secure Champions League Victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. This win over Como was the perfect response to that defeat.

Como, meanwhile, will need to recover quickly. After the high of beating Lens 9-1, this defeat at San Siro is a reminder that Inter are still the benchmark in Italy.

One thing is clear: the Serie A title race is wide open - and Inter are right in the middle of it.

Read Also - More Inter Analysis

FAQ - Inter vs Como

What was the score of Inter vs Como?
Inter won 2-0 at San Siro.

Who scored for Inter?
Francesco Pio Esposito in the 12th minute and Marcus Thuram in the 20th minute.

Where are Inter in Serie A after this win?
Inter are 2nd, just one point behind leaders Lazio.

Who is top of Serie A?
Lazio are top, after drawing 1-1 at Napoli.

What happened to Como's winning run?
Inter ended Como's six-match winning run, which included a 9-1 win over Lens in the Champions League.

Sources & References