Chivu Hands Bastoni, Dimarco Starts as Inter Host Como at San Siro

Inter and Como have confirmed their starting lineups for Sunday's Serie A fixture at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, with Cristian Chivu selecting a 3-5-2 and Cesc Fàbregas answering with a 4-2-3-1.

Chivu's 3-5-2 puts three centre-backs behind a five-man midfield and two forwards. Alessandro Bastoni starts in the defensive line, with Federico Dimarco and Carlos Augusto among the wide options in the five. The shape gives Inter natural width from wing-back positions and two central strikers to attack crosses.

Fàbregas has gone with a 4-2-3-1: four defenders, a double pivot, three attacking midfielders behind a lone striker. Anastasios Douvikas is the reference point up front. Djed Spence starts in defence. Como arrive on a notable away run, having become the first team in UEFA Champions League history to win an away match by an eight-goal margin, and they will look to carry that road form into Milan.

Inter's back three will have to manage Douvikas without leaving gaps for Como's three attacking midfielders. The 3-5-2's five across midfield can match Como's four in the middle, but the wide centre-backs must decide when to follow Spence and when to hold. Bastoni's distribution from the left of the three is Inter's primary route out of pressure.

For Como, the 4-2-3-1 asks the double pivot to screen the space in front of the back four and slow Inter's transitions. Douvikas will be isolated against three centre-backs unless the attacking midfielders push up quickly. Spence's duel with Inter's right-side runners is one to track.

Inter's five across midfield gives them a spare body in central areas, but it also means the wing-backs must cover ground quickly when Como switch play. Dimarco's delivery from the left is a primary weapon, and Como's right-sided defender will have to decide whether to engage him high or drop into the back four. That decision shapes how much space Douvikas has to attack crosses.

Como's double pivot faces a different problem. With three Inter centre-backs and two forwards, the pivot must avoid getting dragged wide by the wing-backs while still screening the space where Inter's strikers drop. If the pivot steps out, Inter's midfield runners can attack the gap. If it sits, Inter can build through Bastoni and progress into the final third unchallenged.

The game also turns on how Como's three attacking midfielders press Inter's back three. A 3-5-2 can be pressed if the front two split the centre-backs and the attacking midfielders cover the wing-backs. But that leaves Douvikas alone against three defenders, and any turnover in Como's half gives Inter a direct route to goal.

Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday, 8 November at 18:00 local time. It is Como's final league outing before the November international break.