The Nerazzurri are on the rise with their fifth consecutive victory. The coach has accelerated the team`s transformation.
Arianna Ravelli, Journalist
Chivu`s Inter team seems to have entered the future at lightning speed, starting their San Siro clash against Cremonese with an early opportunity after 28 seconds and a first goal after just 6 minutes. The other three goals, in fact, came almost too late considering the impressive number of chances created. This dominant performance temporarily places them at the top of the league, as they await the outcome of the crucial Juventus vs. Milan match, Napoli`s game against Genoa, and Roma`s trip to Florence. Inter`s message is loud and clear, and it remains to be seen which of their rivals will deliver an equally convincing response, especially in the highly anticipated clash between Allegri`s Milan returning to the Stadium, and Juventus. Following Cremonese`s defeat, Juventus, along with Atalanta (who drew their Lombardy derby with Como yesterday, a game that exhausted its spectacle in the first half), remains the only unbeaten team in the league.
The Difference
Chivu`s squad is clearly on an upward trajectory, securing their fifth consecutive victory. Despite the absence of two key starters (a cheerful Thuram and Calhanoglu), three veteran players found the net (Lautaro, Dimarco, Barella), and a new star, Bonny, stole the show in his first start, contributing a goal and three assists. This performance highlights a significant improvement compared to the limited impact of last year`s reserve forwards. With Bonny and Pio Esposito (already a San Siro favorite, urged to score by the crowd while diligently playing for the team), the team likely wouldn`t have ended last season without silverware, proving the success of this summer`s transfer market.
Since their loss to Juventus, Inter has scored 13 goals and conceded only 2—one when leading Sassuolo 2-0 and another yesterday when up 4-0. While their offensive output was already strong, the team has now found greater defensive solidity. Akanji`s significant contribution, now a definite starter over Bisseck and a more reliable replacement for Pavard (whom no one seems to miss), has been crucial. The occasional overly elaborate play in attack and a slight drop in concentration at the end appear to be minor issues.
Fans reacted with excitement: “With Bonny and Pio it would have been a Scudetto,” and “Dimarco like Maicon” were among the comments praising Inter`s convincing performance.
Team Profile
Given that Cremonese had only ever won at San Siro against Inter thirty years ago, and their first-ever victory against Milan was in August, a quick repeat performance was unlikely. However, a stronger resistance might have been expected. But Inter`s blistering start overwhelmed Nicola`s team (which, on paper, was perhaps too ambitious with two forwards plus Vazquez) preventing them from finding any countermeasures to the traits Chivu`s Inter had already demonstrated – high aggression, relentless ball-winning pressing, vertical play, and an impressive game production that often leads to a shot after just three passes. Yesterday, these characteristics were displayed at an accelerated pace, as if moving to a new level in a video game.
Inter encountered few obstacles at San Siro yesterday; their approach wasn`t to bypass them, but to crush them like a steamroller. Other emerging characteristics defining Chivu`s team include significantly broader squad rotations than during the Inzaghi era, with 22 players utilized so far. Frattesi made his first start, Luis Henrique (who wasn`t particularly impactful against Cagliari) was given half an hour, and Diouf (not very effectively used, as he contributed to former player Bonazzoli`s goal) played for fifteen minutes. After the international break, away matches against Roma and Napoli will be a crucial turning point for the Nerazzurri`s season.
Courage
Torino, on the other hand, should perhaps always ask to play in Rome: the capital`s atmosphere seems to suit Baroni`s team. After their victory against the Giallorossi, they secured a draw at Lazio`s home ground, a particularly significant match for the Granata coach. Their performance was decidedly positive in terms of play, often more convincing than Sarri`s side, and showcased great character. All of Torino`s strengths (beautiful maneuvers, especially in the first half, and Simeone`s goal) and weaknesses, primarily some inexplicable defensive lapses, were on display. Nevertheless, it`s a point that can instill courage.
