Inter head into the international break in good shape after responding to their derby loss with back-to-back clean sheets. A 3-0 win at Feyenoord in the Champions League was followed by a 2-0 victory over Como at San Siro, lifting Cristian Chivu's side to second in Serie A, one point behind leaders Lazio with 28 points from 11 games.

The defensive solidity has been the most encouraging sign. After a period of uncharacteristic fragility at the back, Inter kept two consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season, a return to the compact, hard-to-beat identity that defined their best recent campaigns. Chivu will draw confidence from that, particularly with a demanding schedule ahead.

In attack, the partnership between Djed Spence and Pio Esposito has emerged as a genuine bright spot. Spence, one of three summer signings from the Premier League alongside John Stones and Curtis Jones, has taken time to settle but delivered consecutive strong performances. Esposito scored in both matches after a two-month goal drought. Stones and Jones remain unavailable through injury, meaning Chivu has yet to see his rebuilt squad at full strength.

Marcus Thuram was another standout against Como, with Chivu publicly defending the forward after criticism in Italy. President Giuseppe Marotta, speaking before the Feyenoord game, ruled out a return for Mauro Icardi and addressed contract situations for key players. Inter next face Atalanta away on 22 November.