Not Just Lautaro – Several Inter Milan Stars Looking Far From Top Physical Condition

It’s not only captain Lautaro Martinez who has looked a long way from his best for Inter Milan at the start of this season.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. They single out Benjamin Pavard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Hakan Calhanoglu in particular.

The form of Inter captain Martinez has certainly raised eyebrows at the start of the season.

The Argentine – who has been Inter’s top scorer in each of the past three seasons and was the top scorer for all of Serie A last time out – has not found the back of the net once.

Martinez has cut an anonymous figure leading Inter’s line, particularly in the penalty area.

There is evident exhaustion in the 27-year-old’s performances thus far.

And clearly, without Martinez scoring, Inter have found goals much harder to come by.

But it hasn’t just been Martinez who’s been below par. And there have been other players whose form has impacted the team’s as a whole just as much, even if it’s received less attention.

Not Just Lautaro – Other Key Players Also Slumping For Inter

As with Martinez, the quality of Pavard, Mkhitaryan, and Calhanoglu is undeniable when they are in form.

Defender Pavard has become a key man on the right of Inter’s back three.

And in midfield, Mkhitaryan and Calhanoglu have given the Nerazzurri’s central trio its balance.

But none of the three have convinced so far this season.

In Pavard’s case, the Frenchman has suffered lapses in concentration that have allowed both Monza and AC Milan to score.

The former Bayern Munich defender did not start against Manchester City last week. And Inter did not miss him, with Yann Bisseck holding down the fort in the back three.

It was a similar situation with Mkhitaryan. The Armenian international dropped out of the starting eleven against City, and Piotr Zielinski replaced him well.

Both Pavard and Mkhitaryan came back into the team for the derby against Milan. And both were deeply underwhelming.

It was a similar story with Calhanoglu. The Turk did well against City, but was as culpable as anyone as Inter got overrun in the derby.

In the cases of Pavard and Calhanoglu, it seems clear that the disruption to their preseason from the Euros has had an effect.

And Mkhitaryan may well finally be showing his age after two seasons of excellent displays for Inter well into his thirties.

But whatever the issue, it is just as important that these three players get back to their best as with Martinez if Inter are to improve collectively.