Pio and Tikus, the match - winners: "A great performance, an important win"
First Team
— just nowThe two Inter forwards reflect on the 2-0 Serie A victory over Como, in which both scored
Marcus Thuram sits on the advertising board, looking around and soaking up the roar of celebration at San Siro as his teammates rush over to join him. Tikus was decisive once again, playing a leading role in Inter’s victory over Como. Another goal against the Lariani, which was his fifth in four Serie A meetings, and another at the Meazza. It was the goal that broke the deadlock, putting Inter two goals ahead and capping a blistering start to the game, with the Nerazzurri showing determination and focus from the outset. But Thuram offered much more than just his goal: his tireless work for the team, powerful forward runs, bursts of pace, skill, recoveries and pressing. An all-round performance that earned him the Player of the Match award.
Here is what he had to say after the win over Como.
“How important is this victory? Three important points, in a home game in front of our fans and against a very strong opponent. We did everything we could to get the win for Inter tonight, and we succeeded. Were you angry about not being included in last month’s national team squad? Don't worry, you know I never get angry. Como are a very strong team, who are also doing really well in Europe. We handled the game well tonight. We put in a great performance and our opponents couldn't find a solution. Your celebration? It just came to me in the moment, so I did it. There wasn't any particular reference behind it. ”
Marcus Thuram
Pio Esposito had opened the scoring, finding the net for the second game in a row following his goal in Rotterdam. The striker produced an impressive performance, also playing a part in the second goal with an outstanding pass out wide to Dimarco. He was involved in several important moves for the team and, of course, had the satisfaction of scoring himself, finding the net in the twelfth minute from a Spence assist.
It was Esposito's third league goal of the season and his tenth in Serie A for Inter, achieved at the age of 21 years and 133 days. The last player to reach double figures in the league for the Nerazzurri at a younger age was Mario Balotelli, who did so aged 18 years and 271 days on 10 May 2009 against Chievo.
“It was an important performance from the team. I'm happy to have scored because I'd been waiting for a goal here, but the team's performance matters more. I just try to work hard and do the best I can. We did really well with our pressing, moving from one side to the other without ever giving our opponents a reference point. That was important in helping us make the best possible start. I'm happy to have played well and helped my teammates. That's the most important thing. Before every game, I like to watch the opposition defenders with the match analyst and see how they approach the strikers. I don't think I ever came up against Ramon in the youth ranks, but he's a strong, well-rounded defender. The derby? We took it as a defeat and as a game we needed to analyse to understand what hadn't gone well. We did that and responded against Feyenoord and Como. When you lose, it's important to get back on track and move forward. The booking? It was a foul I had to make. Nico Paz had got past me and I couldn't let them launch a counter-attack. Italy vs. France? I'll start thinking about the national team, which deserves my full attention, from tomorrow”
Pio Esposito