Inter host Como at San Siro on Sunday in a crucial Serie A Gameweek 11 encounter. With captain Lautaro Martínez sidelined by injury, Inter's emerging attacking options will have an opportunity to impress against a Como side boasting several technically gifted young players.
Cesc Fabregas' Como arrive in impressive form after thrashing RC Lens 9-1 in the Champions League in midweek. Inter, meanwhile, will face a difficult test against a side that has demonstrated its attacking quality against strong opposition.
With several emerging talents expected to feature, Striver.Football highlights six players to watch, using performance statistics from Fotmob to explain what makes each one worth following.
Three Inter youngsters to watch against Como
1. Francesco Pio Esposito
Age: 21 years old
Position: Striker
Verified FotMob Stats: 10 Serie A appearances, registering 2 goals, 1 assist, and 10 chances created across 509 minutes. He also netted a goal in Inter’s midweek 3-0 Champions League victory over Feyenoord.
Why to Watch: With Lautaro unavailable, Esposito could have an important role in Cristian Chivu's attack. His ability to hold up the ball, occupy defenders and make runs into the penalty area gives Inter another option alongside Marcus Thuram.
2. Ange-Yoan Bonny
Age: 23 years old
Position: Striker / Centre-Forward
Verified FotMob Stats: 9 Serie A appearances (235 minutes), scoring 2 goals with a 93% passing completion rate and placing 100% of his shots on target (5/5), plus 1 goal in 4 Champions League outings.
Why to Watch: Reunited with his former Parma manager Chivu, Ange-Yoan Bonny is an explosive, physically imposing forward.
Whether starting alongside Esposito or coming off the bench, Bonny offers Inter another physical and mobile option in attack. His ability to link play and threaten the penalty area could make him an important alternative during the game.
3. Petar Sucic
Age: 23 years old
Position: Central Midfielder / Attacking Midfielder
Verified FotMob Stats: 9 Serie A appearances, boasting an elite 95% passing completion rate (285/300 passes), 1 goal, and 5 successful tackles.
Why to Watch: Sucic has already made a decisive contribution against Como, scoring a late winner in the Coppa Italia semi-final in April. His ability to cover ground, contribute defensively and move possession forward could provide important balance in Inter's midfield.
Three Como youngsters to watch against Inter
4. Nico Paz
Age: 22 years old
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Verified FotMob Stats: 9 Serie A appearances, recording 3 goals, 3 assists, and 21 chances created alongside an 89% passing completion rate. He also boasts 3 goals and 5 assists across 4 UEFA Champions League matches.
Why to Watch: Paz is one of the main creative influences in Fabregas' side. After registering a goal and two assists against Lens, his ability to find pockets of space between the lines and deliver incisive passes makes him one of Como's most dangerous attacking players at San Siro.
5. Maximo Perrone
Age: 23 years old
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Verified FotMob Stats: 10 Serie A appearances, commanding a 95% passing completion rate (451/472 passes), 9 chances created, and 10 clearances.
Why to Watch: Perrone operates as Como's deep-lying midfielder, helping his side retain possession and progress the ball through the centre. His composure under pressure and ability to distribute accurately could be particularly important against Inter's aggressive midfield press.
6. Alex Valle
Age: 22 years old
Position: Left-Back
Verified FotMob Stats: 7 Serie A matches, logging 2 assists, 8 chances created, 10 clearances, and an 89% passing completion rate.
Why to Watch: Having developed at Barcelona's La Masia academy, Valle offers Como an attacking option down the left flank. His overlapping runs can stretch opposition defences, while his defensive positioning will be important when tracking Inter's right-sided attacking players.
What young players can learn from these six talents
Ange-Yoan Bonny has played just 235 Serie A minutes mostly off the bench, yet his 100% shot accuracy and 93% pass completion keep him ready to step up whenever injuries hit senior starters. Young players must maximize every training session and substitute cameo.
Both Maximo Perrone and Petar Sucic have recorded passing accuracy figures of around 95% in Serie A. Aspiring midfielders can study how they scan their surroundings before receiving the ball, position their bodies to play forward and choose safe passing options when under pressure.
Nico Paz and Francesco Pio Esposito offer different lessons for young attackers. Paz shows the value of finding space between the opposition's midfield and defence, while Esposito highlights the importance of intelligent movement and positioning inside the penalty area.
