Inter Milan edge past Kairat but struggle more than expected

Inter Milan win thanks to Lautaro and Carlos Augusto, yet Chivu’s men suffer against a spirited Kazakh side

Inter Milan may have taken all three points against Kairat Almaty, but the performance left much to be desired. 

As reported by Libero via Fcinter1908, “Inter Milan approached the match in the worst possible way, assuming victory would come easily.” The Kazakh side fought bravely, forcing Chivu’s men to dig deep for a 2-1 win that was anything but comfortable.

Lautaro Martinez broke the deadlock just before halftime, a goal that briefly restored calm. But early in the second half, Kairat capitalized on a lapse in concentration to equalize in the 55th minute. 

That setback finally shook Inter Milan awake: after ten minutes of intense pressure, Carlos Augusto unleashed a thunderous strike from distance — assisted by young Pio Esposito — to restore the lead.

Lessons to learn: Chivu’s team wins, but focus is missing

Those decisive ten minutes, Libero notes, “Only highlight the superficiality shown in the other eighty.” Despite the victory, the performance was far from convincing. 

Inter Milan now sit on 12 points and must prepare for four demanding fixtures ahead. For coach Cristian Chivu, this must serve as a wake-up call — especially with Lazio, their traditional “black beast,” waiting on Sunday.

Player ratings from Libero were harsh: Barella received a 4.5, with criticism that “as a deep-lying playmaker he cannot afford such nervousness or showy plays for the cameras.” 

Lautaro earned a 7, praised for his determination — “as soon as his teammates relax, he gets fired up; he stays sharp and scores with sheer force.” 

Dumfries was given a 4, called out for “letting Arad jump freely in the box,” while Frattesi also scored 4.5, accused of disrupting rhythm and offering little support in build-up play.

Despite the win, the verdict is clear: Inter Milan prevail, but Chivu’s side still have much to prove in consistency, composure, and focus — qualities they’ll need in abundance against Lazio.