Inter sit top of Serie A on 25 points after nine games, level with Lazio, but the win that kept them there was far from convincing. At the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo on Wednesday, the nerazzurri beat Venezia 2-0 through two own goals in the 80th and 82nd minutes, with Cristian Chivu admitting afterwards that he would have changed the entire starting eleven at half-time, except for goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. The performance was the worst of the season by Inter's own standards, with the rotated side struggling to create and Provedel keeping the scoreline level before the late deflections settled it.

Chivu had made wholesale changes with one eye firmly on Saturday's derby against AC Milan at San Siro, resting Barella, Calhanoglu, and Akanji from the start. Those players are expected to return to the lineup for Milan-Inter, with Josep Martinez likely to reclaim the goalkeeping spot from Provedel. Lautaro Martinez remains out through injury and will not return until after the international break, leaving Marcus Thuram to continue leading the attack.

Off the pitch, Milan and Inter jointly unveiled plans for the new Generali Stadium, a 71,500-capacity ground that will replace San Siro as the shared home for both clubs. The announcement was made at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, attended by Inter president Giuseppe Marotta among others. It is a significant moment for the club's long-term future, even as the immediate focus stays on a derby that could define the early shape of the title race.