Fàbregas: "The Inter match will show Como's true level"

Como, who caught the attention of the whole of European football by putting no fewer than nine goals past Lens in midweek, will have their true level revealed far more clearly by Sunday's meeting with Inter, according to head coach Cesc Fàbregas.

By beating Lens 9-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, Fàbregas's side equalled the record for the biggest winning margin in the competition's history. Como, who also beat Manchester United 4-1 in their previous European outing, are in superb form domestically too.

The Italian side have collected 23 points from 10 Serie A matches and, should they win against the Nerazzurri this weekend, they will move above the reigning champions and climb towards the top of the table.

Even so, Fàbregas stressed that Christian Chivu's side remain the benchmark of the league, despite losing the Milan derby last week.

Speaking to the media, Fàbregas said: "Every week it feels as though you are asking me about another test of our maturity. We knew this season would be special for us, our motivation is very high, but we are also aware of the path we are on. This is an important match and we are on a good run, but it is only a test to see where we can get to. Inter are still the strongest team in Italy, and we will see our level after the match. I never stop learning from the best. The win against Lens is something that, if we are lucky, happens once in a lifetime. Inter are the last Italian champions, they won the Coppa Italia and they have played in two Champions League finals. Still, who knows? Tomorrow we could put in a perfect performance and pull off a surprise."

The former Spain midfielder, who has risen quickly at Como since taking charge in Serie B in 2023, added that he looks to Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta as a model for the structure he wants to build: "Arteta, with what they have built at Arsenal, is a great example for all of us. The patience the club showed him, even during tense moments and when they were eighth in the league, is exactly what we need too. I see him as a source of inspiration for what we want to do."

Inter, meanwhile, were lifted by a 3-0 win over Feyenoord in Europe in midweek, but captain Lautaro Martínez, who is still struggling with a hamstring injury, will miss Sunday's game against Como.

Players to watch

Inter: Marcus Thuram Thuram scored in three consecutive Serie A matches but has drawn a blank in his last two league outings. The French forward has four goals in three league appearances against Como, and in Serie A only Parma (five goals in five matches) and Torino (seven goals in five matches) have conceded more to him.

Como: Tasos Douvikas Inter will be a different kind of test for Douvikas, who took centre stage with a hat-trick against Lens in midweek. Along with Cagliari and Milan, Inter are one of three teams the Greek forward has faced three times in his Serie A career without scoring.