Inter battles injuries and contract uncertainty before De Kuip clash
Inter has Tuesday at De Kuip the chance to bounce back after the painful defeat to AC Milan.
Italian media say that the way the reigning champion collapsed on Saturday in the Derby della Madonnina reveals several pain points in the squad of coach Cristian Chivu.
Inter has failed to win the derby for the eighth consecutive time, which has sparked critical commentary.
Key figures Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni reported that the team's attitude since the start of the season has been insufficient.
Barella said: “Fatigue is building up, you pay the price for that. We need to look in the mirror, there is still a long way to go.”
Bastoni added: “We have to earn the Inter shirt every day. That applies to everyone. I was completely dissatisfied with our attitude, it was far from enough.”
Despite Inter being in a better position than last season in Serie A after ten matches, with 25 points compared to 21, the team recently suffered a painful home defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Chivu urges Inter to stay in Champions League race before Feyenoord
Victories over Bologna, Fiorentina, Venezia and Shakhtar Donetsk followed, but top scorer and captain Lautaro Martínez remains sidelined due to injury.
reports that at the Appiano training complex stars such as Federico Dimarco and Hakan Çalhanoğlu are more occupied with their expiring contracts than with performing in training.
A newspaper spokesperson said: “Uncertainty about the future alone is obviously not decisive for performances. There is a structural lack of concentration. The busy schedule takes its mental toll.”
According to the pink sports newspaper, defender Yann Bisseck struggles to reach the required level every three days.
Defensive problems
The defence is seen as Inter's weakest line; Bastoni is also missing against Feyenoord after his red card against Club Brugge, and alongside Lautaro, defenders Benjamin Pavard and John Stones are injured.
Thuram backs Barella and Bastoni as Inter demand new mentality
These warning signs come just before the Champions League tie at De Kuip, but coach Cristian Chivu remains calm.
The Romanian expects a response from his players this week against Feyenoord and Como.
Then they must prove that they still have the hunger that delivered the double to them last season.