Italian media have pointed to a clear flaw at Inter Milan this season under Cristian Chivu: difficulties in direct clashes with top rivals in the Serie A.
As noted by TuttoSport, via FCInterNews, Inter must improve against top teams.
So far, Cristian Chivu’s side have dropped points in high-profile showdowns with AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli.
However, they have largely taken care of business against lower and mid-table opposition, a contrast with Milan, who have claimed more big-match wins.
However, the Rossoneri stumbled in fixtures such as a defeat to Cremonese and several draws, including one against Sassuolo.
‘Three Points Are Three Points’ As Cristian Chivu & Inter Milan Chase Scudetto
Tuttosport argue that, while the narrative around big games draws attention, the title race is built on accumulation.
“Three points are three points,” the paper notes, even if that logic has limits.
Cristian Chivu’s Inter have built their lead by sweeping aside teams outside the elite bracket.
The numbers back that up.
Inter sit on 55 points, and eight of their remaining 15 matches come against sides currently in the bottom half of the table.
Winning all eight would already lift them to 79 points.
Indeed, it is a total widely considered enough to secure Champions League qualification.
And potentially provide a strong platform in the Scudetto race.
Recent history supports that idea.
In the last five Serie A seasons, only twice has a second-place team finished above that mark, and in both cases it was Inter themselves.
The message from the Italian press is clear.
Inter may need sharper performances in headline clashes.
However, their title hopes rest just as heavily on maintaining their ruthless streak against the rest of the league.
Who knows maybe after the Dortmund game the mentality has changed
Chivu lost those matches earlier in the season when he was being experimental with his teams. Let’s wait for the Derby D’ italia then revisit this conversation.