Three talking points after Inter’s 1-1 draw away at Monza | OneFootball

Reigning champions Inter had to fight back to earn a 1-1 draw away at Monza on Sunday evening, ahead of an incredibly difficult week of fixtures in the Champions League and Serie A.

Here are three talking points from Sunday’s stalemate.

Inter changes didn’t click

With a busy run of fixtures ahead, Inzaghi opted to name a heavily-rotated starting XI, resting the likes of Alessandro Buongiorno, Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu, who all had minor fitness concerns. At times, particularly after Inter fell 1-0 behind, it looked like the coach had changed things around slightly too much, but the players responded perfectly to equalise five minutes after the restart.

The team selection was always going to be a tough decision to make, and one that could have had direct consequences for the trip to Manchester City on Wednesday. Fortunately, Inter came through their Monza test unscathed and should be back to full strength in the coming week.

Not much to worry about four games in

Though Inter have lost control at the top of the Serie A table, there is not much point worrying just four games into the season. There is only one point’s difference between the Nerazzurri and Napoli in first place, and there is still an awfully long way to go before the final standings are determined.

It was also the first game back after an international break that seemed to drag somewhat, and that may have interrupted Inter’s rhythm given how many of their star players were away with their respective national sides.

The Nerazzurri are still the favourites to lift the 2024-25 Serie A trophy by the end of the campaign, and have plenty of time left to assert their dominance in the league standings.

Big week ahead

The coming week will provide Inzaghi with a real litmus test. Champions League and Serie A fixtures against Manchester City and rivals Milan will provide a true indication of the levels that Inter can achieve this season.

Inter are faced with one of, if not the most difficult fixture possible to start their European campaign, re-creating the 2022-23 Champions League final, but this time on City’s home turf. Wolverhampton Wanderers are the only team to beat Pep Guardiola’s side in 90 minutes at the Etihad in the last 12 months. The last team to triumph at the Etihad, though, were Real Madrid, who beat City on penalties on their way to the Champions League final last season.

Then comes the Derby della Madonnina against Paulo Fonseca’s revitalised Milan on Sunday. The Rossoneri put in a dominant 4-0 display against Venezia on Saturday, and looked a completely different side compared to their first three matches of the campaign. A derby is a one-off game, though, and Inzaghi will surely be disappointed with anything less than three points.