Inter’s defensive record since their return from the winter break has been excellent, despite the impression that the team has a bit of a soft centre in certain moments.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who note that even with the occasional switch-off, the Nerazzurri have produced overall defensive performances that have seen them keep a clean sheets in six out of eleven matches played since the start of last month.

Inter defender Francesco Acerbi has made the need for defensive balance a key theme in his comments to the media ahead of this evening’s Champions League match against Porto.

The 35-year-old has stressed the fact that the team have conceded some sloppy goals, and could have conceded against Udinese over the weekend for example.

However, in terms of statistics, the proof is in the pudding, as Inter have conceded in just five of their eleven matches back from the World Cup break.

This is in contrast to before the break, when the Nerazzurri kept just one more clean sheet, seven, from almost twice as many matches, 21 overall.

Notably, clean sheets have been kept against the likes of Napoli, Atalanta, and in two derby matches against AC Milan.