Six matches are not enough to define Inter’s season, but they have already given its early weeks a recognisable shape. Lautaro Martinez remains the reference point, Andy Diouf has turned a summer gamble into a growing certainty, and Curtis Jones is still working towards his place in Cristian Chivu’s established midfield.
The decision
Chivu’s most striking early choice has been Diouf’s use on the right. The Frenchman arrived with momentum from the summer and has been kept in that role by his coach, taking advantage of Djed Spence’s delayed start to secure regular selection.
It was a demanding examination. Napoli, Real Madrid and Roma were fixtures that could have exposed the defensive aspects of a player still learning the position, yet Diouf came through them with credit. Across five appearances, he has supplied three assists and is already Inter’s third most-used outfield player, behind only Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni.
The experiment has also drawn attention beyond Milan. Zinedine Zidane included Diouf in his first France squad as national-team coach, although his own intention is to test him at left-back. Diouf, meanwhile, continues to regard himself primarily as a midfielder.
Jones represents the other side of Inter’s early planning. He was the player Chivu most wanted during the long transfer window, but also the final arrival, and his adjustment has therefore been more gradual. There have been encouraging moments, notably his contribution to the comeback against Napoli, but also difficult ones.
Against Real Madrid, Jones shared responsibility with Yann Bisseck for the mistake that led to the opening goal. His Roma performance was less convincing still: he struggled to enter the contest for more than a half before being substituted. Inter’s faith has not changed, but the international break offers him time to absorb the demands of a midfield structure that was already settled before his arrival.
With England not selecting him, Jones is expected to begin Inter’s return against Parma. That match should give him an immediate opportunity to show why Chivu pressed for his signing.
Sunday’s picture
At the centre of Inter’s opening chapter stands Lautaro. Now in his ninth season at the club, the captain has again started at speed and answered one of the criticisms attached to last season’s scoring record.
Despite finishing as Serie A’s leading scorer, there had been discussion that his goals came too often against lesser opposition, even after important Champions League strikes against Bayern Munich and Barcelona. This time, he has delivered in the fixtures carrying greater weight.
Lautaro scored twice in Inter’s comeback victory over Napoli, regarded as a principal Scudetto rival, and added another brace as Inter recovered against Roma, who were level at the top of the table. The goals reinforced his position as leader and driving force within the side.
His Inter total has now reached 179, leaving him 30 goals behind Alessandro Altobelli in second place on the club’s all-time scoring list. Whether he reaches that mark this season or next, the distance is continuing to close.
