Inter are building momentum at just the right time. A 3-0 victory at Feyenoord's De Kuip in the Champions League's fourth matchday answered serious questions about the team's resilience, arriving days after a damaging 3-1 derby defeat to Milan that had cost them top spot in Serie A. The win in Rotterdam was not just about the scoreline. It delivered the kind of collective response that manager Cristian Chivu needed, with Nicolo Barella and Federico Dimarco among those to perform well after a difficult run of criticism.

Pio Esposito ended a near two-month goal drought, while Yann Bisseck opened the scoring with a finish that drew attention for both its quality and his pointed celebration toward the cameras. Jordy Spence, one of three summer signings from the Premier League alongside John Stones and Curtis Jones, produced his best display in an Inter shirt. All three arrivals had struggled with fitness since joining, making Spence's performance in Rotterdam a welcome sign that the club's summer investment is beginning to take shape.

Off the pitch, president Giuseppe Marotta addressed speculation around the squad, closing the door on a return for Mauro Icardi and offering clarity on contract situations for Hakan Calhanoglu and Dimarco, both of whose renewals remain unresolved. Inter sit second in Serie A with 25 points, one behind Lazio, and host Como at the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday.