5 clubs that have surprised us this season

#3 Inter Milan

FC Internazionale are on top of the Serie A

It speaks volumes about the recent history of Inter that their rise to the top of the Serie A table should be considered something of a surprise. The San Siro outfit, Champions League winners as recently as 2010 under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, have been in the doldrums in recent times, finishing a disappointing seventh last term under Frank de Boer and then Stefano Pioli.

Luciano Spalletti was appointed as their coach in early June and has transformed the fortunes of the team without spending especially lavishly. Borja Valero’s calmness in midfield has been impressive, while summer addition Milan Skriniar has shone at both ends of the field for the Nerazzurri.

However, perhaps the best move that Inter made in the summer was resisting overtures from Manchester United for Croatia international midfielder Ivan Perisic, who has scored seven times in only 15 league appearances.

Eclipsing him, however, has been Mauro Icardi, whose form at the vanguard of the attack has been virtually flawless. He has found the net 16 times in only 15 matches to surge his way to the top of Italy’s scoring charts.

Inter remain undefeated so far this season, having beaten Roma and neighbours AC Milan, while drawing with Napoli 0-0 away from home. Perhaps their biggest test of the campaign arrives on Saturday, though, they go to Juventus in what promised to be a huge match for the title race even this early in the season.