Overview
- Inter won 1-0 at Cagliari thanks to a Hakan Calhanoglu strike, with Curtis Jones making his club debut as a second-half substitute and John Stones given limited minutes from the bench.
- Chivu said Stones and Jones must rebuild match fitness and adapt to Inter’s style, so he is phasing them into games rather than starting them immediately.
- Despite heavy attacking figures — 31 shots, seven on target and an xG of about 3.9 — Inter struggled to finish chances and required late game management to preserve the lead.
- Tactical improvisation was needed because of selection and fitness issues, with Benjamin Pavard used at wing-back, Yann Bisseck moved into central defence and Marcus Thuram given around 30 minutes as he recovers.
- With the transfer window closing and a Champions League trip to Real Madrid looming, the coach warned that continued poor game management or slow fitness recovery could create real problems in the weeks ahead.