Inter's Comeback Habit: Why Do They Always Chase the Game?

Inter has accustomed its fans, and perhaps itself, to falling behind by two goals. The main issue is that this trend doesn't seem to spark questions, especially among a fanbase that now almost takes pleasure in mounting comebacks. While spectacular and always making the match engaging, Inter has an obligation to break this pattern, which can only be described as negative.

Against Napoli, the reaction was significant, leading to a win, and the same happened against Udinese. However, in matches like those against Roma and Real Madrid, fortune didn't always favor them. To reiterate, the narrative of a Scudetto clash against Roma was entirely false; a draw might seem acceptable, but such situations are not a constant.

Some fans even joke, "Let's give them a two-goal head start, otherwise, it's not a match," almost boasting about it. The primary question, however, should be: why are we conceding so many goals?

A true point of pride is winning a tight match with a clean sheet, not drawing a game after being down 2-0 in the first half, especially when it becomes a recurring theme. For four consecutive matches, across league and Champions League, Inter has started with a two-goal deficit, yet there's a peculiar sense of calm about it. Across all competitions, they've already conceded 10 goals in 6 games, averaging nearly two goals against per match. Championships are won with the best defense, or so the data suggests, and Inter's start has been poor defensively.

While this defensive fragility might seem tragic, the team deserves commendation. Inter's ability to react is likely unmatched. This doesn't mean the Nerazzurri shouldn't focus on improving their defense during the upcoming two to three-week international break. After all, as seen against Cagliari, a disappointing performance is always a possibility.

Chivu managed to energize the team at halftime. But what happens the day his words fail to lift the players' spirits? If the team continues with the mindset of needing a head start to make a match interesting, will this narrative still hold? The day Inter fails to overturn a deficit, their defense will face harsh criticism. For this reason, perhaps it's better to open our eyes now and focus on improvement, rather than celebrating a comeback that stems from an approach to the game far from that of a top-tier team.

If Inter only played second halves, they might win the Champions League. But football is played over 90 minutes...