Chivu's Bold Play: Inter's Rise, and a Final Dance Dream with Italy

Inter's Resurgence: Chivu's Tactics Turn Chaos into Momentum

Inter Milan's new coach Cristian Chivu faced a rocky start with three league defeats, but he has steadied the ship as the Nerazzurri surge to the top of Serie A and push in Europe.

In the Champions League, Inter has rattled off four straight wins, conceding only a single goal, a testament to a compact defense and a sharper attack led by Lautaro Martinez and Dumfries. In Serie A, a brutal start gave way to a climb that now finds Inter level with Roma at the summit while Milan and Napoli trail by a couple of points. The progress has both lifted confidence and preserved the club's prestige in Europe.

Transfers, Acerbi's Future, and the Season in Numbers

There have been whispers about loaning Luis Henrique to Marseille, Lyon, or Monaco, but so far the French clubs have shown little appetite. Henrique, 23, arrived for about 22.8 million euros plus potential bonuses and has appeared 11 times this season without a goal.

Francesco Acerbi's future remains unclear as January approaches. The veteran's role has diminished, fueling talk of a possible farewell and a late dance with Italy under Gattuso as the World Cup 2026 era approaches. In Europe, Inter's numbers tell a story of depth and balance: a 2-0 win at Ajax, a 3-0 over Slavia Prague, a 4-0 thrashing of Union SG, and a 2-1 win at Kaïrat Almaty kept the record pristine until a first conceded goal. They sit on 12 points, level with Bayern and Arsenal and ahead of Manchester City, with a goal tally that leads the league by a wide margin at 26, ten clear of the next best.

Domestically, the season began with a 5-0 win over Torino but then two surprising losses to Udinese and Juventus. A run of wins followed against Sassuolo, Cagliari, Cremonese, and Roma, before Napoli interrupted the run, then Fiorentina, Verona, and Lazio added to Inter's tally. At present, Inter tops the standings with 24 points, level with Roma and two points ahead of Milan and Napoli, and their goal difference remains the best in the league.

And for a touch of humor to end: If strategy were a dish, Chivu's menu would be the one where the soup is simmering and the bread is a trophy—nice and steady, with occasional spicy notes. And if this season were an exam, Inter would ace it—showing up with the right answers and a spare calculator, just in case the math gets dramatic.