Monday’s Scratch

Inter see Como fail their final test, whilst Lazio hit a bump but remain top of the table

Juventus are struggling to find consistency, whilst Milan and Roma are showing signs of a turnaround

by Dario Ceccarelli

9 November 2026

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Nico Paz del Como, a destra, lotta per il pallone con Carlos Augusto dell’Inter durante una partita di calcio di Serie A tra Inter e Como, a Milano, in Italia, domenica 8 novembre 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno/APS)

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

6' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Poor Como – what a harsh lesson! Not so much because of the 2–0 scoreline, which was decisive but not overwhelming. It’s the way the result came about that leaves one astonished. Brutal. Overwhelming. A proper showdown.

Inter gave them no chance. Chivu’s side – who usually get off to a slow start – had the Fabregas boys pinned back within twenty minutes, as if they were a bunch of lads from the parish youth club who’d come to admire their heroes. These lads, however, were coming off the back of a sensational 9–1 thrashing of Lens in the Champions League, amidst our cries of admiration for a new, rampant style of football that, at last, plays to win and put on a show. Beautiful, uninhibited, ready to ensnare you in a web from which there is no escape. Led by maestro Fabregas, the Pied Piper who spares no one.

And what a thrashing that was! Chivu’s ageing Inter side, under fire following their stinging defeat in the derby, went on the attack straight away, just as they know how to do when it’s time to get down to business. The first, stunning blow came from the young Pio Esposito following a move started by the rampant Thuram. In the centre of the box, the Nerazzurri striker, after jostling with Ramon, slotted home to make it 1–0. Como retreated, and Inter capitalised by stepping up their pace and playing more direct football. Ten minutes later, in the 19th minute, Thuram doubled the lead, skilfully slotting home a clumsy clearance from the Como defence. A celebration for Thuram, fresh from his call-up to Zidane’s French national team. A fatal blow for Fabregas’s lads, annihilated and cowed by an Inter side that nobody – not even this writer – expected to be so focused and fierce.

To recount what happened next is, frankly, pointless. Because Como, perhaps too intoxicated by the praise for their recent European exploits, were no longer able to mount a proper response. They will certainly have other opportunities to improve and, perhaps, even to challenge for the title. But that famous ‘test of maturity’ mentioned by Fabregas on the eve of the match was not passed – quite the opposite, in fact. It was a resounding failure, mirroring the show of strength put in by Chivu’s men who, even without captain Lautaro, have bounced back brilliantly from their defeat to Milan. There had already been some encouraging signs in the Champions League in Rotterdam, but this clash with Como – a rising star – is a crucial test for redefining the league’s pecking order. A benchmark from which to move forward with optimism and a little more certainty, even though Lazio, after their hard-fought draw with Napoli, remain top of the table on 29 points. Inter are hot on their heels on 28 points, ahead of Roma (27), who, with their flurry of goals, make no secret of their ambitions. Further back, in fourth place (24), is Milan, resurrected yet again following their European drubbing by Ferencvaros. Milan secured a 2–1 win over Genoa without going over the top, but still managed to secure a place in the Champions League zone ahead of Como (23), who were put in their place at San Siro by an Inter side in title-chasing mode.

Which of the big clubs are missing from the line-up? Spalletti’s Juventus, who, even in Florence, could only manage a hard-fought draw (2–2) against Fiorentina, having twice taken the lead (Pellegrino and Njie) only to be pegged back twice (Woltemade and Bremer) by the Bianconeri. Juve, who have yet to string together three consecutive wins this season, are now seventh (18 points), behind Frosinone, who were beaten by Cagliari this time round.

What can I say? It’s not a turning point. Although they showed some progress (Kolo Muani on the right), Juve continue to make the same mistakes, especially in defence (“We’re drowning in a glass of water,” mutters Spalletti). Amidst a few flashes of brilliance, however, their ability to stay in the game whilst trailing deserves credit. Fiorentina fared better, moving two points clear of third-from-bottom.

Allegri stays on, Gattuso puts the brakes on

The 1-1 draw between Napoli and Lazio is more significant for the Neapolitans than for Gattuso’s men, who were left disappointed after six consecutive wins and a first half in which they were thoroughly dominant. Having taken the lead through Frattesi but failing to seal the win, they then had to withstand a comeback from Napoli, spurred on by Pedraza’s own goal that levelled the score. It was, however, an entertaining, hard-fought match in which either side could have come out on top. For Allegri, it was a welcome breather after two consecutive defeats in the league and the Champions League. Despite yet another outcry from the Neapolitan fans, his position, however precarious, has been strengthened. “When there’s a storm, the ship must be steered into port. We’re behind, but all is not lost,” commented Allegri with the air of a man who has just glimpsed the abyss. What’s going through De Laurentiis’s mind, however, is always a tough call. With him, anything is possible. Lazio, despite their recent dip in form, can instead celebrate – during this latest international break – a record that nobody would have dared to predict back in August.

Roma at full throttle

The other Rome-based side are doing well – in fact, very well indeed. Gasp’s Roma, following their defeat in Manchester, have bounced back in style at Sassuolo’s expense, thrashing them like an old carpet. The 3–0 scoreline tells the story, yet it doesn’t tell the whole story: the truth is that, despite the fatigue that had built up (nine matches in 27 days), the Giallorossi remain in a league of their own compared to the Emilian side, who are reeling from their fifth consecutive defeat with manager Aquilani now on the brink of leaving.

The Giallorossi fans, on the other hand, are raring to go, as is Gasperini. Despite being decimated by injuries, Roma are almost on a Scudetto-winning run, scoring in droves (31 goals in 11 matches, a Serie A record). In this climate, the idea of strengthening the squad in January is by no means out of the question. Sporting director D’Amico also seems open to the idea. It is the owners, however, who remain tight-lipped. But perhaps all this euphoria will eventually win over even the most tight-fisted of the American owners.

Milan Up&down

Milan, as mentioned, bounced back from their dreadful Thursday in the Europa League with first-half goals from Cisse and Pulisic. In the second half, Genoa only came to life in the final quarter of an hour, but Ellertsson’s goal to make it 2–1 made no difference. It’s not a resurgence, but Milan still move up to fourth place. Without setting the world alight – and thanks in part to Genoa’s defensive frailty – they got what they wanted: a win that puts Amorim’s side back on track after their European wake-up call. Two shots, two goals: minimum effort, maximum result. Three precious points. Even though Amorim promises military-style discipline (“No days off for anyone who plays for Milan…”), there remains that sense of unfinished business, of a team with inconsistent form – one day thrashing Inter, the next being made to look foolish by a young Hungarian side. However, the league position is more than respectable, which means there is plenty of room for improvement, especially if he fields his key players (Gila, Modric, Rabiot, Pulisic, Moreira).

Atalanta, too, having won at Monza (0–1), head into this break breathing a sigh of relief. They hadn’t won a league match in four fixtures, so even a narrow victory (thanks to a goal from Krstovic) is a cause for celebration for the Bergamo side, who have increasingly resigned themselves to a mediocre run of form. Sarri can breathe a sigh of relief, but he mustn’t get his hopes up too much. Monza, on their fourth consecutive defeat, are not a particularly convincing test. And even so, without a superb Carnesecchi, Atalanta would have struggled to win. Better something than nothing, as the wise say. And so Sarri, who knows exactly what he wants when he sets his mind to it, will have time to reflect and come up with some counter-measures to breathe new life into a squad that seems to be living on nostalgia.

Palladino gives Bologna a new lease of life

A few words on Bologna, who, by beating Parma (1–2), secured their fourth consecutive victory, amassing 16 points from 7 matches under Palladino. Bologna are a revitalised side who can set their sights on Europe without appearing overconfident. Credit, it must be said, goes to Raffaele Palladino, a young manager (aged 42) who has always done well wherever he’s been, from Monza to Fiorentina, from Atalanta to Bologna. Talented, young and, at the moment, relatively inexpensive. Why do the big clubs snub him? It’s a mystery. Perhaps, to get the fans excited, you need to command a fee of many millions and, ideally, be a foreigner.