Inter’s early-season numbers point to more than a productive attack: they describe a side under Cristian Chivu that is repeatedly establishing itself high up the pitch, bringing numbers forward and finding several routes to goal.
Inter set the attacking pace under Chivu
SEO Title: Inter lead Serie A attacking charts under Cristian Chivu
Meta Description: Inter have made a fast attacking start in Serie A under Cristian Chivu, leading major offensive metrics after four matches.
The Nerazzurri have scored 13 league goals, the highest total in Serie A so far, after finishing last season with 119 goals in 54 matches across all competitions, including 89 in the league.
Chivu’s team have also registered 93 attempts, more than any other side, and their output has been spread across the squad. Nine different Inter players have scored already, with five reaching two goals each in a total of 14 goals between Serie A and the Champions League. Among Europe’s leading clubs, only Bayern Munich have had more different scorers, with 10; Arsenal, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea follow behind Inter.
A high line and crowded attacking zones
The 5-3 victory over Udinese offered a clear illustration of the approach. Inter maintained a high starting position, circulated the ball beyond halfway and used the wide areas to move opponents around before sending several players towards the penalty area.
In the 44th minute, Inter built from the back with Zielinski and Stones, while Akanji and Bastoni stepped higher to form a three-man structure. Diouf and Dimarco occupied advanced wide positions, Barella moved centrally, Thuram and Pio Esposito led the line, and Mkhitaryan linked the phases behind them.
That broad attacking line has become a recurring feature of Chivu’s Inter. Against Real Madrid, Inter again played high and found particular progress down the flanks, ending the match with 21 shots directed towards Thibaut Courtois’ goal.
Numbers underline Inter’s control
After four Serie A matches, Inter have averaged 66% possession, the best figure in the division. They are also first for touches inside the opposition box, with 193, and for expected goals at 11.6.
- 93 shots, the league’s highest total
- Eight attempts per match on average
- 582 completed passes per match, more than any Serie A rival
- 46.7% of shots hitting the target
- 14 big chances missed
- 46 key passes, one more than Roma
- 75 crosses, second only to Roma
- Third for corners, behind Juventus and Como
Inter also have the best average for successful crosses. Their shooting pattern leans noticeably towards the left side, where 42 attempts have originated, compared with 33 from the other flank.
The figures do not remove the work still to come over a long Serie A campaign, particularly after conceding three goals to Udinese. But they show the shape of Chivu’s opening chapter: an Inter side with possession, width, variety in the final third and goals coming from throughout the group.
