{"id":16750,"date":"2026-03-03T08:57:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T08:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=16750"},"modified":"2026-03-03T15:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:02:29","slug":"coppa-italia-preview-cescs-como-host-chivus-juggernaut-in-historic-semi-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/coppa-italia-preview-cescs-como-host-chivus-juggernaut-in-historic-semi-final","title":{"rendered":"Coppa Italia Preview: Cesc\u2019s Como Host Chivu\u2019s Juggernaut in Historic Semi-Final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-19\"><strong>Date:<\/strong> Tuesday, March 3, 2026<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-20\"><strong>Kick-off:<\/strong> 20:00 CET<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-21\"><strong>Venue:<\/strong> Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-22\"><strong>Competition:<\/strong> Coppa Italia Semi-Final (1st Leg)<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The magic of the cup descends on Lake Como tonight as the surprise package of the season, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/como-6117\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Como<\/a>, host the runaway <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/serie-a-17\">Serie A<\/a> leaders, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/inter-milan-224\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inter Milan<\/a>, in the first leg of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/coppa-italia-20\">Coppa Italia semi-final<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-23\">For the <em>Lariani<\/em>, this is a brush with history\u2014their first semi-final appearance in 40 years.<sup><\/sup> For the <em>Nerazzurri<\/em>, it\u2019s business as usual as they chase a domestic double under Cristian Chivu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Narrative: Beauty vs. The Beast<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It has been a fairytale season for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/cesc-fabregas-122\">Cesc F\u00e0bregas<\/a> and his men. Sitting impressively in 5th place in Serie A, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/como-6117\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Como<\/a> have turned the Stadio Sinigaglia into a fortress. They reached this stage by knocking out Napoli in a dramatic penalty shootout, proving they can hang with the heavyweights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other side stands the &#8220;Beast&#8221; of Italian football this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/inter-milan-224\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inter Milan<\/a> have been imperious, sitting 10 points clear at the top of the table. Despite a recent Champions League stumble against Bod\u00f8\/Glimt, their domestic form is terrifying, having won 22 of their 27 league games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2070985459-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"CREMONA, ITALY - MARCH 09: Second coach Francesc Fabregas of Como reacts before the Italian Serie B game US Cremonese vs Como at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 09, 2024 in Cremona, Italy.\" class=\"wp-image-16753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2070985459-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2070985459-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2070985459-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2070985459-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2070985459-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> (Photo by Marco Mantovani\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Team News &amp; Tactics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Como: The Fabregas Revolution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-24\">F\u00e0bregas has instilled a possession-based, fearless style of play. The midfield engine is purring, led by the young sensation <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/nicolas-paz-113234\">Nico Paz<\/a><\/strong>, whose creativity has been the catalyst for their cup run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key Absences:<\/strong> The hosts suffered a massive blow this week with news that winger <strong>Jayden Addai<\/strong> is out for the season with an Achilles injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>One to Watch:<\/strong> <strong>Nico Paz<\/strong>. The Argentine midfielder has been a revelation (10 goals\/assists contributions) and will be the key to unlocking Inter&#8217;s disciplined block.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"872\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-1024x872.png\" alt=\"Nicolas Paz player details via 365Scores\" class=\"wp-image-16752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-1024x872.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-300x255.png 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-768x654.png 768w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1.png 1179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Via 365Scores)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Inter Milan: Chivu\u2019s Machine<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Since taking over in June 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/cristian-chivu-198043\">Cristian Chivu<\/a> has maintained Inter\u2019s defensive solidity while sharpening their attack. The partnership of <strong>Lautaro Mart\u00ednez<\/strong> and <strong>Marcus Thuram<\/strong> remains the most lethal in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Squad Rotation:<\/strong> The captain Lautaro is out due to &nbsp;issue with his left calf, with the Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan looming this weekend, Chivu might rotate slightly, perhaps giving starts to <strong>Davide Frattesi<\/strong>. However, with a trophy in sight, expect a strong XI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>One to Watch:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/pio-esposito-132144\">Pio Esposito<\/a>. The young Italian forward has 4  goals and 3 assists in the Serie A this season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"687\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2255698229-1024x687.jpg\" alt=\"MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy\" class=\"wp-image-16754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2255698229-1024x687.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2255698229-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2255698229-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2255698229-1536x1030.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2255698229-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">. (Photo by MB Media\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Head-to-Head &amp; Form<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The two sides met earlier this season in Serie A, where Inter secured a professional victory, but a two-legged cup tie at the tight, atmospheric Sinigaglia presents a different tactical puzzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What They Said<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-28\">&#8220;Winning the double would be fantastic, and we&#8217;ll do anything to win these important trophies. It&#8217;s all still in our hands.&#8221; \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/piotr-zielinski-6263\"><strong>Piotr Zielinski<\/strong>,<\/a> Inter Midfielder<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p id=\"p-rc_cd3e197871e95fc1-29\">&#8220;An important moment in our season is coming. We need the Sinigaglia to be our Bombonera.&#8221; \u2014 <strong>Cesc F\u00e0bregas<\/strong>, Como Head Coach<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prediction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/como-6117\">Como<\/a> will be fearless, and the home crowd will drive them to a fast start. However, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/inter-milan-224\">Inter Milan<\/a> possess too much quality and experience in game management. Expect a tight, tactical battle where Inter tries to take a lead back to San Siro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Score Prediction:<\/strong> Como 1 &#8211; 2 Inter Milan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-widget-type=\"predictions\" data-entity-type=\"game\" data-view-mode-filter=\"full\" data-widget-id=\"0.37tf23vxmin\" data-lang=\"en-US\" data-entity-id=\"4670748\" data-publisher-id=\"125\" data-hide-powered-by=\"true\" data-live-mode=\"true\"><\/div>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/widgets.365scores.com\/main.js\"><\/script>\n<div id=\"modal-root\" class=\"scores365\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where to Watch<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/where-to-watch\">\ud83d\udcfa<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Italy:<\/strong> Mediaset (Canale 5)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>USA:<\/strong> Paramount+ \/ CBS Sports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UK:<\/strong> Premier Sports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Want to track every stat, shot, and goal as it happens?<\/strong> Follow the match live on <strong>365Scores<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/coppa-italia-20\/como-inter-milan-224-6117-20#id=4670748\">Como vs Inter Milan Match Center<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Kick-off: 20:00 CET Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como Competition: Coppa Italia Semi-Final (1st Leg) The magic of the cup descends on Lake Como tonight as the surprise package of the season, Como, host the runaway Serie A leaders, Inter Milan, in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final. For &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":16756,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,3504],"tags":[4137,4085,1238,141,108],"class_list":["post-16750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","category-coppa-italia","tag-cesc-fabregas","tag-como-fc","tag-coppa-italia","tag-inter-milan","tag-soccer","article_type-news","entity_type-match","inspiration-365s-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16750"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16772,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16750\/revisions\/16772"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}