Inter Milan closed out their Serie A campaign with a solid 2-0 away win against Como on Friday night, but it wasn’t enough to snatch the Scudetto as Napoli held firm at the top. Goals from Stefan de Vrij and Joaquin Correa sealed the victory for Simone Inzaghi’s men, yet their hopes of lifting the league trophy were dashed with Napoli’s concurrent 2-0 win over Cagliari.
Inter Milan Final Push Falls Short
Entering the last matchday just a point behind leaders Napoli, Inter Milan knew they needed both a win and a Napoli slip-up to reclaim the Serie A crown. While the Nerazzurri handled their business professionally at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, their title dreams faded in real time as Napoli secured all three points to clinch their first Scudetto in over three decades.
Como’s Line-Up Hampered by Absences
Como faced the Serie A giants with a depleted squad. Sergi Roberto, Assane Diao, and Alberto Dossena missed out due to injuries, while defender Edoardo Goldaniga was suspended. Veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina made his final professional appearance, anchoring a backline of Vojvoda, van der Brempt, Smolcic, and Valle.
In midfield, the trio of Perrone, Caqueret, and Da Cunha battled to stay competitive, with Douvikas, Paz, and Strefezza tasked with creating chances up front.
Inter Rotate Ahead of UCL Final
Simone Inzaghi rotated his squad with the Champions League final looming. Missing key players like Carboni, Pavard, and Zielinski, Inter shifted to a 3-4-2-1 formation. Yann Sommer guarded the net, backed by De Vrij, Bisseck, and Carlos Augusto. Asllani and Calhanoglu patrolled midfield, while Dimarco and Darmian provided width. Correa and Zalewski supported Taremi in attack, with stars Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram rested.
Key Moments: De Vrij and Correa on Target
Inter nearly took the lead early when Matteo Darmian’s volley was dramatically cleared off the line by Maximo Perrone. But the opener came in the 21st minute when Stefan de Vrij rose highest to nod in Calhanoglu’s corner.
Como’s chances were further dented just before halftime. A VAR check resulted in Pepe Reina receiving a red card for a last-man foul on Taremi, bringing his storied career to a sour end.
Inter capitalized quickly after the break. Joaquin Correa doubled the lead in the 51st minute with a neat finish after cutting inside, effectively putting the game out of Como’s reach.
Napoli’s Win Ends Title Dream
Despite Inter’s composed performance, Napoli’s simultaneous win meant the title would head south. Romelu Lukaku – ironically once a Nerazzurri hero – scored for Napoli, sealing their historic triumph and confirming Inter’s second-place finish.
Eyes on European Glory
With domestic ambitions dashed, Inter now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League final, where they’ll face PSG at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Speaking post-match, Stefan de Vrij admitted the disappointment of falling short in the league but stressed the importance of refocusing.
“We did our part, but we depended on others,” De Vrij told DAZN. “We didn’t deserve the title because if you’re not first after 38 games, it means someone else did better.”
“Now, we need to put this behind us and give everything for the Champions League final. We’ve worked incredibly hard all season, especially in Europe.”
Final Thoughts
Inter’s season ends with pride but also a sense of what could have been. Still, with a Champions League trophy within reach, the Nerazzurri can make this a season to remember. One more game. One more shot at greatness.
Check Latest Seria A news on sportarena365.com
