After struggling for much of the season, the return to form of forward Alexis Sanchez could prove to be an additional factor in Inter’s battle for the Scudetto, Italian media suggest.

The Chile international has come to the forefront in recent weeks and netted a brace in Inter’s 2-1 win over Parma on Thursday evening, allowing the Nerazzurri to open up a six point gap at the top of the table.

As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Corriere dello Sport, Sanchez has now scored five goals and provided as many assists, with his return to form coming at a pivotal moment in the season.

Indeed, the 32-year-old has now surpassed his tally of four goals last season after enduring a difficult first campaign since joining from Manchester United, and is challenging for a place in coach Antonio Conte’s starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Sanchez’s popularity within the Inter dressing room is cited as another reason for his importance within the squad, as evidenced by the celebrations of the likes of Arturo Vidal and Lautaro Martinez following his goals against Parma.