Inter’s European campaign has reached its first demanding turn. Two defeats from two in the Champions League league phase have left Cristian Chivu’s side without a point, and the margin for error across the remaining six fixtures is already narrow.
The decision
The immediate target is no longer simply a place among the teams progressing from the league phase. Inter must now rebuild a route towards the top eight, which brings direct entry into the round of 16 and avoids a play-off tie.
Recent Champions League calculations suggest that around 16 points may be required for that position. For Inter, that means collecting at least 16 points from their final six matches: in practical terms, four wins as a minimum, and perhaps five. It is a difficult assignment for a team whose continental record has brought seven defeats in its last eight matches.
The loss at Real Madrid came at the Bernabeu and was settled by a single goal after a close contest. There was no disgrace in that result. The defeat against Club Brugge, however, has changed the feel of the group stage. It was the sort of home opportunity Inter needed to convert if they were to manage their European programme without pressure later in the winter.
Last season offered a very different opening. Inter won their first four league-phase games, against Ajax, Slavia Prague, Union Saint-Gilloise and Kairat Almaty, and built an early platform even though the final fixtures spoiled an otherwise strong beginning. This time, the work starts from zero.
Shakhtar Donetsk visit San Siro next, followed by a trip to Feyenoord. Stuttgart then come to Milan before Inter travel to Borussia Dortmund, host Liverpool and complete the schedule away to Slovan Bratislava.
Those matches give Chivu’s squad reasons to believe, but not room for complacency. Shakhtar represent an important chance to begin the recovery at home. Inter also have a notably positive history against Dutch opponents, particularly in Rotterdam. Stuttgart are considered a side Inter should be capable of overcoming, while Dortmund is a ground where Chivu’s group won last season.
Liverpool stand out as the most formidable opponent on paper. Yet the English club are still adapting to the methods of coach Andoni Iraola, and Inter will hope that process remains incomplete when they meet in January. The closing trip to Slovan Bratislava is another match in which the Nerazzurri should begin as favourites.
It remains too early to say whether Inter can reach the round of 16 directly or will need the play-offs. What is clear is that the next six European evenings must carry a different weight: the room created by last year’s fast start has gone, and Chivu’s side must now earn it back one result at a time.
