Inter's Champions League campaign has started with a damaging defeat, and the manner of it has raised questions the club must answer quickly. A 2-1 loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on September 8 was shaped not by a lack of quality but by a series of individual errors that handed the game to the hosts. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez's costly mistake for the second goal, combined with defensive lapses from Bisseck and Jones, proved decisive in a match where Inter showed enough to suggest they belonged at this level.

The defeat stings partly because of what it could have been. Inter created chances, hit the woodwork, and forced Courtois into multiple saves. Coach Cristian Chivu will know the performance contained genuine promise, but results at this stage of the Champions League carry real weight.

The squad also absorbed the absence of Federico Dimarco, who stayed in Milan with a knee injury and missed the trip to Madrid entirely. His continued absence will be monitored closely. On a more positive note, summer signing John Stones impressed after coming off the bench at the Bernabeu and is expected to start against Udinese on September 14.

Despite the European setback, Inter sit second in Serie A with nine points from three games, level with leaders Roma. That domestic form provides genuine grounding as Chivu's side prepares to return to San Siro and refocus on the league before the next round of European fixtures.