Inter beat Como to keep Atalanta in sight

They are three points behind leader at Seria A table after 11 games

MILAN:

Inter Milan saw off Como 2-0 on Monday to stretch their unbeaten run in Serie A to 11 games and move back to within three points of leaders Atalanta.

Defender Carlos Augusto headed in from a corner early in the second half before Marcus Thuram wrapped up a fourth successive league win with a thumping finish in stoppage time.

Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a crucial save on the hour to deny Nico Paz an equaliser as Simone Inzaghi's side showed signs of weariness at the San Siro in what was their third outing in a week.

Thuram's goal was his 12th of the season and sent him level with Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui for the league lead.

"Marcus is a high-class player who always trains well and has adapted very quickly to the way we play," said Inzaghi.

"You have to congratulate Como for coming here and giving it their all, but we stayed focused and showed great maturity."

Third-placed Inter are a point behind Napoli but have played a game less than the top two teams after their match with Fiorentina was called off at the start of December following Edoardo Bove's sudden collapse.

Reigning champions Inter visit lowly Cagliari this weekend and could put the pressure back on Atalanta, who are away to Lazio in the late game on Saturday.

Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, slipped a spot to 16th and sit just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Fiorentina lost more ground in the title race after falling to a 2-1 home defeat by Udinese.

Moise Kean's early penalty gave Fiorentina the lead as they sought to shake off last weekend's loss to Bologna that snapped the club's eight-match winning streak in Serie A.

However, Udinese equalised shortly after half-time through Lorenzo Lucca and former France international Florian Thauvin curled in the winner from outside the area.

"The most important thing for me is not the goal but the victory. These are three important points against a very strong team," said Udinese captain Thauvin.

Udinese stayed ninth and are eight points off the European places.

It is worth mentioning here that Atalanta surged back to the top of the Serie A standings with a Charles De Ketelaere-inspired 3-2 win at home to Empoli on Sunday, while inconsistent Roma thrashed Parma 5-0.

De Ketelaere was twice on target for Atalanta in the topsy-turvy encounter -- his second goal proving to be the winner with just four minutes left on the clock.

Ademola Lookman was also on the scoresheet to ensure Gian Piero Gasperini's side won their 11th consecutive match in the league and leapfrogged Napoli back into top spot for the Christmas period.

"It's been a wonderful year, we're sorry it's ending, let's hope that 2025 will be just as good," Gasperini told DAZN.

"It won't be easy, but beyond the results I'm very happy with the spirit that there is in this team."

The reigning Europa League champions restored their two-point buffer over Napoli, who had moved a point ahead of them following their 2-1 win at Genoa on Saturday.

Lorenzo Colombo gave 11th-placed Empoli the lead at the Gewiss Stadium on 13 minutes.

Things got worse for Atalanta when Mateo Retegui, the top scorer in the league, was forced off with a muscular injury in the 21st minute -- casting a doubt over his availability for coming matches.

But De Ketelaere hit back to level for the Bergamo-based outfit four minutes after the half-hour.

Recently crowned African player of the year, Lookman got his 12th goal of the season in all competitions to put Atalanta in front in first-half added time.

Sebastiano Esposito pegged back Atalanta on 57 minutes, converting from the penalty spot.

As the game crept towards a disappointing draw that would have still sent Atalanta back top on goal difference, Belgian midfielder De Ketelaere popped up with his fifth league goal this term in the 86th minute.