Inter remain at the summit of Serie A after nine matches, tied on 25 points with Lazio, but the manner of their latest victory raised questions as much as the result itself. A 2-0 win at Venezia, secured through two own goals in the 80th and 82nd minutes, was described by coach Cristian Chivu as a performance he would have changed almost entirely at half-time, sparing only goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. The result keeps the title challenge on track, but the display was the team's worst of the season.

Chivu rotated heavily with the Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan on Saturday in mind, resting Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Manuel Akanji from the start. That pragmatism worked in terms of the outcome, though it exposed the squad's limitations when key players are absent. Lautaro Martinez remains sidelined through injury alongside Benjamin Pavard, John Stones, Luis Henrique and Curtis Jones, leaving the attacking options stretched.

Federico Dimarco is another concern. The left-back who won Serie A's MVP award last season has looked a shadow of himself this term, and his performance at Venezia only deepened those questions, with contract renewal talks adding background noise. The derby at San Siro on October 31 now arrives at exactly the right moment, offering Inter a chance to prove their title credentials with a full-strength side against direct rivals.