Inter are still lacking the necessary balance that coach Antonio Conte is seeking, at least according to former Inter full back Massimo Paganin.

Inter’s eight-game winning streak in Serie A came to an end with defeat to Sampdoria away from home on Wednesday afternoon.

The Nerazzurri missed a penalty early on and found themselves 2-0 down by the time the half-time interval came at a rainy Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Inter did manage to pull one back via central defender Stefan de Vrij in the second half but could not find an equalising goal.

Paganin, who spent four years with Inter between 1993 and 1997, told TMW Radio that the defeat to Claudio Ranieri’s side must be viewed in context given the recent run Inter have been on.

“This defeat must be put into perspective,” he started.

“Inter had got more than they deserved in other matches. Today they shot a lot and missed.

“The performance was there, it was certainly not the best of the season, there was a lot of possession in the second half but there are games that sometimes go like this.”

The now 50-year-old, who also played for Brescia and Bologna among a host of other sides, also spoke on the number of goals that Inter have conceded this season.

“It is true [that they have conceded a lot] but they also score much more.

“Perhaps Inter are more focused on creating chances and lack balance at the back.

“If you go down 2-0 it is difficult to recover.

“There has been some carelessness, the balance that Conte wants is lacking.”

Paganin then touched on Inter’s upcoming Serie A fixture versus Roma.

“The match against Roma will tell us a lot, because they are in great shape.

“The match against Inter will tell us if Roma can be in the Scudetto race.

“They are doing very well and Sunday’s match will be an important milestone for the season.”