Inter Milan have made a robust start to their Serie A campaign, securing three wins in their opening three matches. This impressive domestic form comes despite a recent Champions League defeat and ongoing fitness concerns within the squad, as noted by coach Cristian Chivu.
Serie A Dominance and European Setback
The Nerazzurri began their league season with a perfect record, including a 1-0 away victory against Cagliari. Despite the win, the team was criticised for wasting numerous goal-scoring opportunities. Chivu acknowledged this, stating, “These are your classic games where if you don’t kill them off, you can run into trouble.” He added, “We created a lot, so if there are any regrets, it’s that we didn’t convert more of the many scoring opportunities.”
Inter followed this with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Napoli at San Siro, further solidifying their strong league start. However, their European journey began with a setback, as they lost to Real Madrid on September 8 in their first Champions League match of the season.
Fitness Levels and New Arrivals
Chivu has been vocal about the squad’s fitness levels, particularly for players returning from international duty. “It might not be good to suffer like this late on, but considering our fitness levels and the players who just came back from the World Cup, we leave Sardinia with three points and some more minutes in the legs of our players,” he commented after the Cagliari match.
The team has also seen the integration of new players. Former Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones made his Serie A debut as a substitute against Cagliari. John Stones, who had already played his first competitive game for Inter in the previous round, also made his Serie A debut in the same match. Chivu praised their quality and experience, noting, “They need to rediscover their fitness levels, John a little more courage to adapt to our style of football, but I have no complaints about their attitude.” Marcus Thuram also managed 30 minutes against Cagliari, while Yann Bisseck made a crucial block in the dying minutes to secure the win.
Upcoming Roma Challenge
Inter now face another significant test in Serie A as they prepare to visit Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The Giallorossi have also enjoyed a strong start to their league campaign, matching Inter’s record of three wins from their opening three matches, setting the stage for a compelling encounter.