In their last league match, the Nerazzurri thrashed Sassuolo 5-0 in a one sided contest that took Inter to plus eight over second placed Milan, who still have a game in hand. After some early difficulties, Cristian Chivu has found a way to make Inter function like a well oiled machine.
In addition to the sensational performance against Sassuolo, one statistic stands out above all: Inter have scored 57 goals in the league alone. Yes, 57 goals. An impressive number, 16 more than Juventus, the second highest scoring team in Serie A. It is a figure that cannot be underestimated.
In their last eight matches, the Nerazzurri have lost only once, against Arsenal, and have otherwise been nearly flawless. On Saturday, Valentine’s Day (and that’s ironic!), they will host Juventus, currently fourth in the standings.
It will be an important test for the Bianconeri, while for Chivu’s side it represents a great opportunity to send a definitive message to all their pursuers, confirming that they are the strongest team in the league, and doing so against their eternal rivals in the match historically known as the Derby d Italia.
Facing Juve in top shape
The Nerazzurri fans are enthusiastic and excited about the prospect of extending their extraordinary run against Juventus, who, despite Luciano Spalletti’s impressive recovery, are still 12 points behind Inter. That gap represents four wins, a significant margin, and as things stand even the most devoted Juventus supporters would struggle to imagine a comeback. However, there will be time to focus on Saturday’s clash. First, it is worth taking a step back.
As mentioned, the match against Sassuolo was completely one sided. The first goal of the evening was scored by Yann Bisseck, a player often called upon to prove himself and fulfill his potential. In the 28th minute, less than half an hour into the game, the contest was effectively decided when Marcus Thuram scored the second goal, doubling the lead and draining any belief from opponents who were clearly unable to compete. In the second half, the Nerazzurri ran riot.
The ever reliable Lautaro Martinez, whom Inter had celebrated on social media with an artificial intelligence generated video that angered many fans, scored the third goal to put the result beyond doubt. A few minutes later, in the 53rd minute, the fourth arrived, once again from a defender, this time Manuel Akanji.
Sassuolo’s night worsened further when Nemanja Matic received a red card for a mistake that was unacceptable for a player of his experience and stature. In the closing stages, Inter added a fifth through Luis Henrique, who had attracted interest from several clubs in January but was retained by Chivu and the sporting director. Time will tell whether that decision proves to be a winning one. With 22 shots in total, nine on target, Inter dominated Sassuolo.
Embracing Chivu methods
At the moment, no team in Serie A appears capable of matching the Nerazzurri and much of the credit belongs to the coach. He has earned the trust of the dressing room through a succession of victories, acknowledging the early skepticism within the club and transforming it into motivation to elevate the team’s level.
What began as frustration has become a fierce competitive drive that Chivu has successfully instilled in his players, who now fully embrace his ideas. Inter are playing attractive football, following their coach’s vision, scoring lots of goals and entertaining their supporters. Right now, they seem to have no real rivals in Serie A.
Milan are the only side who might keep pace, but the Rossoneri lack both the quality of play and the squad depth that Inter possess. Juventus may have one last opportunity to close the gap: it is now or never, because Inter are ready to accelerate and pull away. If they do, the masterpiece will be complete. Chivu’s perfect machine is ready to leave yet another challenger behind.