Inter Milan tackle Chievo at the San Siro this weekend hoping to transfer their European form into the domestic arena.
Inter have won their last two UEFA Champions League ties despite facing tricky away games but at home, they have been in crisis. They sit above the relegation zone on goal difference and only one side, rock-bottom Cesena, have garnered fewer points this season.
But their morale-boosting 1-0 victory away to Lille in midweek has re-energised the club. They have lost four and won only one in their six league games so far and are already on their second coach this season.
But despite such an awful start, they are only eight points off leaders Juventus and, perhaps more importantly, just four behind bitter city rivals and title favourites AC Milan.
“It is still too early to wave goodbye to the Scudetto, many teams in the past have started badly and then picked themselves up,” Brazilian-born, Italy midfielder Thiago Motta told AFP.
“Now, we will get back to winning ways against Chievo and then that will give us continuity. The other teams, those who are ahead of us at the moment, could also go through negative moments.”
Inter’s primary problem in the league has been the defense as they have the worst goals against record in Serie A, conceding more than two goals in a game.
But goalkeeper Julio Cesar is confident they will turn that around. “They say that we need to rediscover the unbeaten run we had, that the once steady defence is now our weakness, but I have a lot of confidence in my work and in my defensive team-mates,” he said.
?“Whoever plays in front of me gives me security, but in football you go through different periods and it’s up to us to show our true defensive worth now.”
Inter have yet to win at the home this season and coach Claudio Ranieri believes they need to start enjoying themselves more. “We need passion, that’s the most important thing.
Those who play football are professionals but they love their work,” he said.