Inter Milan are gearing up for a key week in both the Champions League and Serie A as they prepare to host Arsenal on Wednesday, followed by Napoli on Sunday. Despite a strong record with seven wins in their last eight matches, Inter’s recent performances have been marked by defensive inconsistencies and squandered opportunities, leaving fans uncertain about their current form.
Inter’s previously dominant defence has shown cracks, conceding 13 goals in 11 Serie A matches this season. Their struggles to maintain leads were underscored last week, with a frustrating 4-4 draw against Juventus after letting a two-goal advantage slip away. Even Sunday’s narrow win over Venezia came with a late scare, narrowly salvaged by a disallowed equaliser due to a VAR-reviewed handball.
Coach Simone Inzaghi emphasised the need for clinical finishing, saying, “We need to be more clinical. We missed a lot of good chances which would have made the match easier… we shouldn’t have only been 1-0 ahead in the 97th minute.”
Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, set to lead the attack on Wednesday, will need to be more efficient against the Gunners.
On the positive side, key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and defender Francesco Acerbi are expected back in the lineup, while wing-back Carlos Augusto will remain out. The in-form Federico Dimarco, instrumental in recent games, will be essential as Inter Milan seek to overcome Arsenal and close the gap in Serie A against Napoli.