Thirteen points in comeback: Chivu's Inter, a European record between risks and happy endings

No team in Europe has collected 13 points out of 22 by coming back from losing situations. Corriere della Sera highlights the double-sided nature of this Inter team, capable of conceding too much to opponents but equally able to overturn any complicated situation. A script that, at this rate, risks making even the memory of the comeback against Barcelona in the 2025 Champions League semifinal seem soporific.

The record of comebacks includes four victories — against Udinese and Napoli after going down 0-2, against Bologna and Fiorentina after conceding an early goal — plus the draw with Roma, again after conceding two goals. The Nerazzurri thus catch up with Lazio at the top of the standings. With 10 goals conceded, the defense is seventh in the league; on the other hand, the attack is the best in Serie A with 23 goals.

The latest episode ended against Fiorentina with the penalty converted by Zielinski in the 98th minute. Crucial, in the dynamics of the action, was the prolonged holding by Valdepenas on Thuram, who had already restored parity at 1-1 with a billiard-like shot shortly after the ninetieth minute. The 2-1 penalty awarded by Mariani compensates, in terms of the result, for the one the Nerazzurri had claimed at 0-1 for a foul by Viery on the same Thuram.

The issue of refereeing management and a VAR that, in the scaled-down version introduced under the direction of Orsato, seems to lose effectiveness on incidents that, even at first glance, would deserve intervention, remains open. It is one thing to seek fluidity by avoiding continuous interruptions; it is another not to use the monitor for clearly readable contacts.

In this context, Chivu adds an unprecedented element to his unpredictable script: Lavelli, a nineteen-year-old striker from the Nerazzurri Under 23 team, who this Serie C season has collected one goal and one assist in ten appearances. An additional resource to use in the final minutes, when Inter seems to find in difficulties the pretext to write a new chapter of its season.