Inter are top of Serie A and showing a remarkable capacity to win ugly. The 2-1 comeback victory over Fiorentina at San Siro on Sunday was the clearest statement yet of this squad's mentality under Cristian Chivu. Trailing to a stunning long-range strike from Alex Jimenez, the nerazzurri looked set to drop points until Marcus Thuram dragged them level deep into stoppage time, before Zielinski converted a late penalty to complete a sixth comeback win in eight league matches. It is a pattern that speaks to genuine resilience, even if questions about defensive solidity and early-game sharpness remain.

Thuram's performance underlined how central he has become in the absence of the injured Lautaro Martinez. The Frenchman is carrying the attacking burden with authority, and his numbers this season are drawing comparisons to some of Inter's great strikers.

The squad is stretched, with Lautaro Martinez, John Stones, Benjamin Pavard, Curtis Jones, and Luis Henrique all currently unavailable. Chivu is rotating heavily as a result, and Ivan Provedel replaced Josep Martinez in goal against Fiorentina, while Federico Dimarco dropped to the bench. Carlos Augusto continues to press for a regular starting role after his Champions League winner against Shakhtar Donetsk.

The next test comes Wednesday at Venezia, a match Inter will approach as firm favourites but one that arrives in the middle of a congested week that will demand more from a squad already being pushed to its limits.