“Darmian praises Inter’s respect for Como after 180 intense minutes.”

Matteo Darmian, defender for Inter Milan, provided a careful analysis of the recent Coppa Italia match, where his team drew 0-0 with Como, a result that, according to him, reflects the respect the team had for their opponent. In a competition that spans 180 minutes, every detail matters, and Darmian did not hesitate to emphasize the importance of the tactical approach adopted by the Nerazzurri.

In a balanced game held at the Sinigaglia Stadium, by the shores of Lake Como, the two teams were, in fact, a mirror of each other, with the coaches adjusting their strategies in real-time. Como chose to use Nico Paz as a false centre-forward, while Inter, in an uncommon approach, opted for just one striker, positioning Andy Diouf in a more advanced role to support the attack. The most promising moment for Inter came early in the second half when Darmian, in a bold move, saw his cross-shot go just past the post.

“We knew about Como’s strengths, how they manage to maintain possession and break the pressure, but we had the right attitude,” Darmian stated in remarks to Sport Mediaset. “We would have preferred to bring home a win, but we have a very important game on Sunday and then we will prepare for the second game when it comes.” Inter’s next challenge will be a match in the Serie A against AC Milan, the famous Derby della Madonnina, which promises to be a fierce test for both teams.

The second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final, which will be held at San Siro, is scheduled for April 21 or 22, where the winner will face Lazio or Atalanta in the final. “The important thing was to keep a clean sheet today; we try to give our best both in attack and defense every week. It was good not to concede any goals before the second game,” Darmian added, emphasizing the importance of a positive result.

The recent history between Inter and Como also leaves no doubt about the superiority of the Milanese giant; Como’s last victory over Inter dates back to 1985, over 30 years ago, while the two teams have met 15 times since then, resulting in only two draws and a heavy 4-0 defeat in their last encounter in December 2025.

Darmian emphasized that, when wearing the Inter jersey, the responsibility is always to seek victory, but he acknowledges that, in this case, it is essential to look at the bigger picture. The focus now is on preparing for an exciting second act in the Coppa Italia and for the decisive clash in the league, where every point and every match carry weight in the fight for the title.