Inter are building real momentum across two fronts, but the week that just passed underlined both their resilience and the problems Cristian Chivu still needs to solve. The 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday was a result the club badly needed after back-to-back defeats against Real Madrid and Club Brugge. Carlos Augusto scored the decisive goal late in the second half, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan providing the assist after coming off the bench. The victory came despite Alessandro Bastoni being sent off midway through the second half, leaving Inter to hold on with ten men. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez was outstanding under pressure and earned widespread praise after a difficult start to the season.

The Bastoni red card is the clearest concern to carry into the coming days. The defender collected two yellow cards in quick succession, and his absence will be felt as Inter face Fiorentina at San Siro on Sunday. Lautaro Martinez remains out injured, meaning Chivu must again find attacking solutions without his captain. Ange-Yoan Bonny has stepped up well in that role, while Marcus Thuram continues to be the team's most consistent attacking threat.

In Serie A, Inter sit joint top alongside Lazio on 19 points from seven games. The Fiorentina match represents a chance to pull clear, though the Viola arrive in better shape than their league position might suggest.