Inter’s strong Serie A surge continues to contrast with a far less secure Champions League campaign, yet Manuel Akanji insisted the team’s attitude does not change.
Inter extended the domestic winning run to seven matches with a 2-0 success over Lecce, stretching the lead over AC Milan to 10 points.
The victory also maintained Inter’s perfect sequence of nine straight away wins in the league, underlining control in Italy while European form stutters. Despite that gap, Akanji stressed that performances in both tournaments share the same commitment, even with the Champions League play-off tie now in danger.
In Serie A, Inter broke Lecce’s resistance late, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan opening the scoring before Akanji struck from a set piece. That 82nd-minute goal highlighted the difference between a wasteful first half, when Inter had 14 attempts without scoring, and a more effective second period.
The Champions League picture is far less comfortable. Inter lost three matches in the league phase and slipped into the play-offs. A 3-1 defeat away to Bodo/Glimt in the first leg left Cristian Chivu’s side close to elimination before the San Siro return this week.
| Competition | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| Serie A | Seven consecutive wins, 10-point lead over AC Milan |
| Serie A away record | Nine straight victories |
| Champions League | Three defeats in league phase, in play-offs |
| Play-off vs Bodo/Glimt | First leg: Bodo/Glimt 3-1 Inter |
| Federico Dimarco | 13 assists in 24 Serie A matches |
Akanji dismissed talk that Inter show two faces across competitions, pointing instead to the standard of opponents. “I don’t think there’s two different Inters, he told DAZN Italia. The games we lost in the Champions League, most of them at least, were against big teams. We have the chance to turn it around with Bodo/Glimt in a few days. Sometimes it works better, sometimes a bit less. I know before people would say we didn’t win big games, now they say we are two different teams in Europe and Italy, but we always try to do our best.”
Akanji’s winner against Lecce again underlined the influence of Federico Dimarco, who delivered the cross for the defender’s header. That assist was Dimarco’s fifth in as many matches, and lifted the left-back to 13 assists from 24 Serie A appearances in the current season.
Inter Serie A creativity and Champions League hopes
Asked about Dimarco’s technique, Akanji placed the full-back among the most skilled players worked with. “I am trying to think of all the team-mates I’ve had, but he’s definitely in the top three, Akanji said when asked where Dimarco’s left foot ranked among the players he has worked with. Dimarco has so many assists already, he might be the best, but I don’t want to say anything other than that to not discredit anyone else. He’s amazing.”
Chivu also highlighted the value of set pieces and Dimarco’s delivery after a first half where Inter could not take chances despite heavy pressure. “We wanted to make the most of the set plays, as we took a lot of them, and it’s a pity we didn’t do them better in the first half, coach Cristian Chivu told DAZN Italia. We’ve got players who know how to attack the space, but above all, an extraordinary left foot from Fede, who knows how to put the ball in.”
Attention now turns back to the Champions League tie against Bodo/Glimt at San Siro, where Inter must overturn the 3-1 deficit. Chivu accepted the challenge but underlined that progress would demand a complete display across the pitch from the league leaders.
The coach remained clear about the stakes yet sounded optimistic regarding Inter’s chances. “We are aware of the difficulties that we have to earn everything on the pitch and can take nothing for granted. Now we have the second leg at home on Tuesday, we must be the best version of ourselves, because the qualification is still wide open. Nothing is decided yet.”