Inter’s 3-0 win over Parma extended the sense that Cristian Chivu’s champions are setting the early pace on their own terms. With 18 goals across six league matches, the Nerazzurri have found a rhythm that has made even the absence of regular starters look manageable, while Parma’s new coach Alberto Gilardino began against the most demanding opposition available.
Key takeaways
- Inter have scored 18 Serie A goals in six matches, an average of three per game.
- The 3-0 victory over Parma was settled by the 31st minute after goals arrived in the 13th, 18th and 31st minutes.
- Petar Sucic opened the scoring after Parma goalkeeper Corvi lost possession while playing out from the back.
- Chivu left Lautaro Martinez, Nicolo Barella, Piotr Zielinski and Alessandro Bastoni out of his starting line-up.
- Inter recorded only their second league clean sheet of the season, following the earlier shut-out at Cagliari.
- Parma had replaced Carlos Cuesta with Gilardino despite their only league win having come under the previous coach.
Inter’s depth keeps the goals coming
The scoreline at Parma followed other emphatic attacking performances: four goals against Monza, three against Napoli and five against Udinese. Inter had also shown their capacity to recover against Napoli, Udinese and Roma, but there was no need for another comeback here. They took control from the opening minutes and turned the contest into a comfortable afternoon well before half-time.
Sucic was central to that fast start. The Croatian midfielder took advantage of Corvi’s costly error in Parma’s build-up to score after 13 minutes, then Inter struck again five minutes later. By the 31st minute, the third goal had put the result beyond serious doubt and left the remainder of the match with the feel of a controlled exercise rather than a contest.
There was a further intervention from VAR when referee Bonacina was advised to review a clear foul on Pio Esposito in the penalty area. The penalty became another part of an afternoon in which Inter repeatedly made Parma pay for their mistakes.
Sucic’s contribution also carried a personal significance after recent discussion over his limited role. Zvonimir Boban had argued that the midfielder deserved more minutes, saying that Sucic did not appear fully comfortable in his Inter situation and describing him as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world. Chivu had already addressed those remarks publicly; the response on the pitch came through Sucic’s goal.
It was also noted as the first time since Sandro Mazzola’s death that an Inter player wearing the No. 8 shirt had scored. For Sucic, it was a timely marker in a side where competition for places remains intense.
A demanding first day for Gilardino
Chivu could afford to begin without Lautaro Martinez, while Barella, Zielinski and Bastoni were also among the players held back. Bastoni has recently returned from international duty in improved condition, and Inter’s ability to rotate without losing authority was one of the clearest features of the performance.
The clean sheet was almost as notable as the attacking return. Inter had conceded in most of their Serie A outings so far, with the victory at Cagliari the only previous occasion on which they had kept their opponents out. Parma did not provide the sternest measure of a title defence, but Inter again looked cohesive, confident and able to vary their solutions.
For Parma, the match marked Gilardino’s first assignment after the club dismissed Cuesta following their only league victory. Before travelling to face Inter, the Emilia side had not conceded three goals in a league game this season. The change in the dugout will not be judged on an afternoon against the champions, and Gilardino can expect less formidable opponents in the weeks ahead.
Inter’s early momentum now places pressure on the chasing sides, including the Roman clubs in action later in the round. The season remains young, but Chivu’s team have made a forceful opening statement: goals are arriving freely, squad options are working, and the champions are not waiting to fall behind before imposing themselves.
