Inter’s place at the top of Serie A, alongside Roma and Lazio after five rounds, has not persuaded Cristian Chivu that his side have reached their finished form. The champions have shown the attacking authority he has demanded since the beginning of the season, but their early campaign has also exposed a defensive pattern that cannot be allowed to become routine.
A strong start with an unresolved weakness
Inter have scored freely and repeatedly displayed the intention to control matches regardless of the opponent. That has made their opening platform encouraging, yet Chivu’s work now centres on the other half of the pitch.
The Nerazzurri have conceded nine goals in six matches. Eight of those have arrived across the last four fixtures, and each of those games has seen Inter fall two goals behind early on. It is a costly habit for a side that wants to set the terms of a match rather than spend its afternoon recovering from its own mistakes.
The recurring early setbacks
- Against Napoli in Serie A’s third round, Inter faced 16 shots and conceded expected goals of 2.43.
- They then had to chase games against Napoli, Real Madrid, Udinese and Roma, having conceded twice in the opening stages on each occasion.
- At the Olimpico against Roma, Inter allowed 18 attempts, their highest total so far, although the expected-goals figure conceded was lower at 1.66.
- Despite the difference in chance quality, the outcome remained familiar: two goals conceded, extending a sequence of four successive matches across Serie A and the Champions League in which Inter have let in two.
The Roma match illustrated the distinction. Inter were exposed, particularly at the beginning, but the opportunities they gave up were generally less dangerous than those conceded against Allegri’s side. The scoreboard, however, did not make that nuance any easier to accept.
Chivu’s task during the break
Chivu will not have the full group back until next Monday, when the players away with their national teams return. His immediate priority is likely to be mental sharpness. Individual lapses, including errors involving the goalkeeper, have played a central role in undermining performances that otherwise contained many positive signs.
That diagnosis brings both comfort and regret. Inter have not been repeatedly undone by an absence of attacking quality or ambition; many of their problems were preventable moments of distraction. Improved concentration could quickly raise their level, but the points and energy lost while pursuing recoveries have already reduced the value of an otherwise impressive beginning.
For Chivu, the correct approach from the opening whistle is essential if Inter are to sustain their standards over a full season. There are also tactical connections to repair, though he showed last year that he can adjust his ideas to the players at his disposal with clarity and intelligence.
Balance as the next objective
After the match at the Olimpico, Chivu returned to a word that will shape the next stage of Inter’s season: balance. It will require small adjustments, a stronger reading of danger and, above all, greater focus from his players.
Inter are already an attractive and winning team. Their position near the summit confirms that. But if Chivu can remove the early concessions that have forced them into too many chases, the champions may find that their strongest version is still to come.
