Inter's week captured everything about this team in a single night. A 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at San Siro gave Cristian Chivu's side their first Champions League points of the season, but the manner of the victory raised as many questions as it answered. Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the 69th minute, leaving Inter to defend with ten men, and it was Carlos Augusto who settled the contest with a decisive second-half goal. The Brazilian has become one of the most important players in this squad, and his performance prompted genuine debate about whether Federico Dimarco's starting place is now under threat.

The win matters beyond the three points. Inter had lost their opening two Champions League games against Real Madrid and Club Brugge, so the pressure to respond was real. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez, heavily criticised earlier in the season, earned widespread praise for his display. The result keeps European ambitions alive, though Bastoni's suspension will be felt.

The injury list continues to grow. Lautaro Martinez, Curtis Jones, John Stones, and now Luis Henrique are all unavailable, stretching Chivu's options at a demanding point in the schedule. Despite those absences, Inter sit first in Serie A with 19 points from seven games. Sunday's home fixture against Fiorentina arrives quickly, with Chivu expected to rotate his squad and potentially hand Pio Esposito a starting role after the striker was unused against Shakhtar.