Inter Crushes Cremonese, Atalanta Unexpectedly Drops Points Against Como
On Saturday in Serie A, Inter scored four unanswered goals at San Siro before Cremonese managed a consolation goal (4-1). Atalanta, meanwhile, failed to beat league newcomers Como, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Serie A: Inter Crushes Cremonese, Atalanta Unexpectedly Drops Points Against Como
Main Event
On Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the 38th round of the Italian Serie A, Inter crushed Cremonese 4-1 at Milan's San Siro. This match was the final act of the season for the Nerazzurri, who had secured the title well before the finish. The match started at a blistering pace: the hosts took full control of the ball and besieged the opponent's goal from the first minutes.
In the 6th minute, Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring. A powerful run by Ange-Yoan Bonny through the center of the pitch ended with a precise pass to the Argentine forward, who calmly found the net from inside the box. For Martinez, this goal was his 25th of the season — Inter's captain once again confirmed his status as one of the league's top scorers.
Before halftime, Inter doubled their lead. In the 38th minute, Bonny, who acted as the chief conductor of attacks in this match, headed the ball into the visitors' net after a corner kick from Federico Dimarco. Cremonese had no answer — the team from the city of the same name was fighting for survival and couldn't afford to open up against the leaders.
The second half turned into a showcase for the hosts. Inter reduced the intensity but continued to control the game. In the 55th minute, Dimarco got on the scoresheet — the defender finished a corner kick with a sharp low shot. Just two minutes later, Nicolo Barella scored the fourth: Bonny again acted as an assist provider, setting up the midfielder for a one-touch finish.
Cremonese managed a consolation goal only in the 87th minute. After a series of crosses into Inter's box, the ball fell to Federico Bonazzoli, and the striker didn't miss the chance to pull one back. However, it didn't affect the overall picture — the Nerazzurri confidently saw out the match and ended the season on a high note in front of their home fans.
Meanwhile, in Bergamo, a no less dramatic but completely different story unfolded. Atalanta, also playing their final match of the season, failed to beat modest Como, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. For Gian Piero Gasperini's team, this was a disappointment: the Goddesses had hoped to finish higher, but the slip-up in the last round cost them any chance of improving their position.
Details and Statistics
The thrashing of Cremonese was Inter's 26th win of the season. As of the end of the championship, the Nerazzurri had 82 points from 35 matches, with 26 wins, 4 draws, and only 5 losses. The goal difference is impressive: 82 goals scored, 31 conceded. This is the best record in the league for both goals scored and goal difference.
Special mention goes to Ange-Yoan Bonny. In the match against Cremonese, the young striker, on loan from Parma, achieved a fantastic statistical double: one goal and three assists. His dynamic play on the left flank and in the center was the main catalyst for Inter's attacks in this match.
Lautaro Martinez, who opened the scoring, finished the season with 25 goals. Inter's captain was not only the team's leader on the pitch but also made a decisive contribution to the title. His partnership with Marcus Thuram (who ended the season with 18 goals) was considered one of the strongest in Europe. Interestingly, Inter became the first club in Serie A history to win the championship after changing head coaches four times during the season — a statistic highlighted by Italian commentators after the match.
As for Atalanta, the match against Como was a tense affair. In the 6th minute, the hosts opened the scoring: after a scramble in the visitors' box, Lazar Samardzic was first to the rebound and fired accurately into the bottom corner. It seemed the Bergamaschi would take control and calmly see out the win. However, Como — a team coached by former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas — showed remarkable resilience.
In the 19th minute, Maximo Perrone restored parity. The Argentine midfielder, on loan from Manchester City, unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, and the ball hit the post before nestling into Atalanta's net. This goal was Perrone's sixth of the season for Como and once again proved that the Serie A newcomers can cause problems even for established giants.
Ademola Lookman, who was just regaining form after returning to the starting lineup, had one of his worst matches of the season. The Nigerian winger didn't register a single shot on target and missed two clear-cut chances, after which he was substituted in the second half. Gasperini clearly relied on Lookman as his main attacking force, but on this evening, the Nigerian was off his game.
Context and Significance
Inter ended the season at the top, and this win over Cremonese was merely a formality. Simone Inzaghi's team (who, despite rumors of dismissal, saw out the season) secured the title early, finishing 12 points ahead of Napoli. The Partenopei finished second with 70 points, while Milan (67 points) rounded out the top three after a head-to-head win over Atalanta a few weeks earlier.
For Cremonese, this match had a completely different subtext. The team, which collected 28 points over the season, finished 18th and was relegated to Serie B. Joining them in relegation were Verona (20 points) and Pisa (18 points). Cremonese, considered a solid mid-table side just two years ago, couldn't stay in the top flight due to problems in attack — only 27 goals in 35 matches — and regular points dropped in the closing stages of games.
Como, on the other hand, had a phenomenal season. Cesc Fabregas's team, which was fighting for promotion to Serie A just a year ago, finished sixth with 62 points. This allowed the Lariani to qualify for the UEFA Conference League next season — an incredible achievement for a club that returned to the elite only in 2024. The draw with Atalanta in Bergamo was further proof that Como is no longer a pushover.
Atalanta, finishing seventh with 55 points, missed out on European competition. For a team accustomed to fighting for Champions League places, this is a serious blow. Gasperini, whose future at the club remained uncertain, summed up the season as extremely disappointing — after the match against Como, the Bergamaschi coach stated that "the team lost its character and ability to kill off games," placing the responsibility on the players. Now Atalanta faces a rebuild — rumors of a possible departure for Lookman and Ederson only intensified after this slip-up.
What's Next / Next Match Preview
For Inter, the season is over. The Nerazzurri are Italian champions and can now focus on planning for next season. The main questions of the offseason are the fate of Simone Inzaghi (whose contract expires in 2027, but rumors of talks with Liverpool persist) and the possible departure of key players. The club's management has already announced its intention to keep the core of the team, but offers for Martinez or Barella from the Premier League could prove too tempting.
Atalanta and Como have finished their Serie A campaigns. For Como, the end of the season is a celebration — Fabregas's team is heading to Europe. For Atalanta, it's a time for tough decisions. Gasperini, who has coached the club since 2016, may leave his post after the team failed to qualify for European competition for the first time in six years. The Goddesses' management has already begun searching for replacements, although the coach's decision will be officially announced next week.
Cremonese faces Serie B. The team will try to return to the elite as soon as possible, but the loss of key players and television revenue will make this task extremely difficult. It is already known that several leaders, including Bonazzoli (whose consolation goal against Inter was the club's last in Serie A), will likely be acquired by other top-flight teams.
As for the calendar for next season, the first round of Serie A will start in the third week of August 2026. Como will begin their European journey in the Conference League as early as July — the qualifying rounds start in mid-month. For Fabregas, this will be his first experience in European competition as a head coach, and all of Italy will be watching to see if the young Spanish specialist can handle the workload.
Editorial Prediction
Although both matches are already over, we can sum up the season for the three clubs and assess their prospects. Inter confirmed their status as Italy's strongest team. Dominance in derbies, confident wins over direct rivals, and ruthlessness against mid-table sides all suggest that the Nerazzurri will again compete for the Scudetto next season. However, the risk of losing key players is real: if Lautaro Martinez leaves for Atletico Madrid or Chelsea, Inter will have to find a replacement with a comparable goal-scoring instinct, which on the market costs at least €100 million.
Atalanta is in crisis. Seventh place is a failure for a club accustomed to competing with the giants. Gasperini seems to have exhausted his potential in Bergamo, and a change of coach may be the only way out. However, the club's already modest budget won't allow for a major overhaul. The departure of Lookman (valued at €40-50 million) could be a necessary measure to free up funds for new signings. The question is whether a new coach can build a team from scratch and prevent Atalanta from slipping into the bottom half of the table.
Como is the revelation of the season. Fabregas proved that even with a limited budget, you can play modern attacking football and achieve results. If the Lariani keep their core and strengthen with a couple of experienced players for European competition, they could compete for a top-six finish again next season. However, the second-season syndrome is a well-known ailment for newcomers, as opponents adapt to their style. Whether Fabregas can handle this is the main intrigue of next year. One thing is certain: Atalanta and Cremonese face different but equally difficult summer transformations, while Inter and Como look to the future with much greater optimism.
— Editorial Team
