Inter on zero points: Gazzetta draws on PSG precedent

Defeats to Real Madrid and Club Brugge have made Inter’s European start difficult, but Italian sports daily la Gazzetta dello Sport believes qualification remains within reach for Cristian Chivu’s side. The newspaper assesses the six remaining fixtures through the precedent set by Paris Saint-Germain: in the past two editions, the French side have lifted the trophy after coming through the play-offs. President Giuseppe Marotta has also cited that route to underline the Nerazzurri’s chances of recovering.

The first precedent comes from the season that ended with the final in Munich. PSG had just four points after five matches and found themselves two goals down against Manchester City in the second half. A 4-2 win and a subsequent victory at Stuttgart allowed them to reach the play-offs. That was the start of a run that ended with a 5-0 win over the Nerazzurri themselves: a precedent Gazzetta uses to separate early struggles from the tournament’s potential outcome.

The following season, according to the newspaper’s account, Luis Enrique’s side finished the league phase in 14th place before winning the trophy again. UEFA’s rules offer two routes to the last 16: direct qualification for the top eight, and play-offs for those finishing between ninth and 24th. With six games remaining, Inter can therefore still secure qualification, even if it means playing an extra round.

Gazzetta identifies the next three fixtures as an opportunity to climb the table: Shakhtar Donetsk at San Siro on 21 October, a trip to Feyenoord and a home game against Stuttgart. Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool in Milan and Slovan in Bratislava will follow. Their final opponents also have zero points, having conceded nine goals in two matches. Before looking ahead to the final outcome, Chivu’s immediate task is to end the losing run against the Ukrainian side.