This week, Inter bulldozed their way past a poor Sampdoria side before a rotated side made a rather pointless trip to Munich in European action.

Despite a 2-0 defeat to Bayern, Simone Inzaghi’s side signed off on back to back qualifications to the knockout round and moved themselves closer to the top four in Serie A.

These are this week’s talking points:

1) Brilliant Barella Back To Barnstorming Best

Nicolo Barella is a man truly at the top of his game.

The former Cagliari man has four goals in his last six games across league and cup which has seen many of his critics disappear into the shadows.

Whilst it can be said that a lack of goals has been his Achilles heel in the past, the same mantra cannot be labelled at him this term as he appears to be back to his best form.

If adding goals is now part of his skill set, at 25 years old, Nicolo Barella has it all. This is a frightening concept for the rest of Serie A and Europe in fact.

2) Romelu Lukaku’s Fitness A Concern

This week saw a very short lived return to action for Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian played 31 minutes across the games against Plzen and Sampdoria, snatching a goal in the former.

However, a muscular issue that has not yet been fully diagnosed saw him left out of the trip to Bayern.

Since his much heralded return this past summer, Interisti have barely got to see their former talisman as he simply hasn’t been able to stay fit.

Concerns now remain over the Chelsea loanee’s ability to contribute to Inter’s season which is something that will surely be a serious cause of frustration for both club and player who fought equally as hard to reunite.

With an unknown return date set so far on his injury, we shall wait with crossed fingers until an official verdict is made.

3) Marcelo Brozowho? 

The injury to Marcelo Brozovic looked a serious kick in the teeth for Simone Inzaghi’s side at a time in which they really didn’t need it.

In the midst of a slump, Inter had to reshuffle to fill the gap left by Epic Broz, something it turned out that they did remarkably well.

With Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan filling the void well and Nicolo Barella showing serous form, it could be argued that Inter have coped miraculously well without their main midfield creator.

The Croatian regista may now find it tough to win his place back.

4) Credit To Coach Simone Inzaghi

Whilst Simone Inzaghi has been hit with bits of criticism during his time at Inter, his coaching in Europe has been top drawer.

Where his two predecessors failed, the former Lazio coach has thrived as he now boasts a 100% record in getting the Nerazzuri into the knockout phase of the Champions League.

It can certainly be agreed that this year’s run has been a tough ask as they weren’t given the luxury of being casted as top seeds.

To consign big spending Barcelona to the Europa League and also go very close to earning six points from them is great progress.

Job well done lads.

5) Derby D’Italia

This weekend sees the first Derby D’Italia of the season and Inter in much need of a win against a top side.

With defeats against Lazio, Roma and Milan so far, Inter need to get the monkey off their back and defeat a top side.

Last season’s win in Turin was a real highlight and you wouldn’t bet on them doing it again as they face a Max Allegri side that is struggling for confidence, form and players as they boast a horrific injury list.

Nothing beats a big game feel in Serie A and there’s certainly no love lost between these two rivals.

Only one of them has one Serie B though it must be remembered and that’s cause the other has never needed to play in it. Forza Inter.