Como have been the talk of European football this week after putting nine goals past Lens, but Cesc Fabregas feels Sunday's clash with Inter will say more about their level.

On Wednesday, Fabregas saw his team crush Lens 9-1 in the Champions League, tying the largest margin of victory in the competition's history (also Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas in 2007 and Real Madrid 8-0 Malmo in 2015).

Como also routed Manchester United 4-1 in their previous European outing, while their domestic form has been good, too.

With 23 points on the board after 10 games in Serie A, they know a victory over the Nerazzurri this weekend would see them leapfrog the Scudetto holders in the table.

Going into matchday 11, the Opta supercomputer assigned Como a 21% chance of a stunning title win, making them second-favourites behind Inter (44.3%).

But Fabregas insists Christian Chivu's side are still the benchmark in Serie A, even if they suffered a disappointing derby defeat to AC Milan last weekend. 

"It feels like every week you ask me about a new test of our maturity," Fabregas told reporters. 

"We knew this season would be special for us, there is so much motivation, but we know our path. 

"This is an important match, we are coming off a good run, but it is only a test to see where we can go. Inter remain the strongest team in Italy – we will see our level later.

"I never stop learning from the best. The victory over Lens can happen once – if we're lucky – in our lives.

"Inter are the reigning champions of Italy, they won the Coppa Italia, they played in two Champions League finals. But who knows? Tomorrow, we might spring a surprise with the perfect performance."

Nine goals against RC Lens, a new Champions League away-win record and a night that will stay with Como 1907.  #Como1907 #UCL #RCLComo https://t.co/XBeWAU7iSn

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) November 5, 2026

Fabregas also highlighted Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as an inspiration for what he is attempting to build at Como, who have risen rapidly since the former midfielder took the reins in Serie B in 2023.

"Arteta sets a great example for all of us, with what he is building at Arsenal," Fabregas said.

"The patience shown by the club, even when there were moments of tension and he was eighth in the table, that is what we need, too. I see him as inspiration for what we want to do."

Inter did get back to winning ways in Europe this week, beating Feyenoord 3-0, though they will again be without talismanic captain Lautaro Martinez on Sunday, with the Argentine still recovering from a hamstring injury.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter – Marcus Thuram

After scoring in three consecutive Serie A games, Thuram has failed to find the net in his last two – he has not had a longer drought since a five-match streak in February and March. 

The Inter forward has scored four goals in three league matches against Como, though, only bettering this tally against Parma (five goals in five games) and Torino (seven goals in five games).

Como – Tasos Douvikas

Douvikas scored a hat-trick in Como's midweek thrashing of Lens, but Inter are – along with Cagliari and AC Milan, one of three teams he has faced three times in Serie A without either or assisting. 

With a goal here, he would become the 10th player to reach double figures for both home and away goals in the last three Serie A seasons, after team-mate Nico Paz and Inter duo Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, the latter of whom is out injured.

MATCH PREDICTION – INTER WIN

Inter have won their last 11 Serie A matches against Como, their longest winning run against a single opponent in the competition's history. 

Additionally, the Nerazzurri are the side against whom Como have suffered the most overall defeats in the top flight (21).

Same fixture, let’s rewind https://t.co/t4RIINElnl

— Inter  (@Inter_en) November 6, 2026

Chivu's side will be desperate to bounce back following their derby defeat last weekend, which came off the back of a 19-game unbeaten run (W13 D6) – they have not lost back-to-back Serie A games since August and September 2025 (versus Udinese and Juventus).

Inter have scored 17 goals in their first five home Serie A games this season, winning all of those matches. In the last 60 years, they have scored more than 17 goals in their first six home league games on only two occasions, netting 18 in both 1999-00 and 2021-22.

But Como should not be expected to roll over, and with both teams committed to playing on the front foot, there should be fireworks. 

Inter and Como have each recorded 81 high turnovers in Serie A this season, fewer only than Roma's 96. They also rank first and second in the division for 10+ pass sequences (Como 211, Inter 188), and build-up attacks (Como 57, Inter 50).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter – 48.1%

Como – 28.2%

Draw – 23.7%