In the second round of Serie A 2023/24, Inter secured a 2-0 victory over Lecce, solidifying a confident start to the championship. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Armenian midfielder for Inter, played the full match, attracting media attention despite not having any direct goal involvement.
The goals for the "Nerazzurri" were scored by Matteo Darmian, assisted by Mehdi Taremi, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who converted a penalty. Mkhitaryan was active throughout the game, although he didn’t show his peak form, which was reflected in the ratings given by the Italian press.
Italian media ratings
Eurosport (6/10):
Eurosport noted that Mkhitaryan again displayed his dedication and activity, but lacked the mobility and off-the-ball runs that are typical of him. His most significant moment came in the second half when he shot over the bar, missing a good opportunity to score. However, the game demonstrated that Mkhitaryan is still searching for his best form.
Calciomercato (5.5/10):
According to Calciomercato, Mkhitaryan only became dangerous after the 60th minute, delivering an excellent cross to Marcus Thuram. However, this wasn’t enough for the level Inter fans expect from him. The journalists noted his chance to score a third goal, but again, the shot went over the bar.
fcinter1908 (6/10):
This outlet felt that Mkhitaryan was the least outstanding among the central midfielders. After an intense pre-season, the Armenian appeared fatigued, which affected his performance. Nevertheless, Inzaghi kept him on the pitch for all 90 minutes, giving him the chance to regain his sharpness, which could be an important factor in upcoming matches.
passioneinter (6.5/10):
Passioneinter highlighted Mkhitaryan’s excellent link-up with Çalhanoğlu in the build-up to the first goal. This time, the midfielder showed improved movement compared to his previous match. Although he slowed down in the second half, his contribution remained valuable due to his work ethic and involvement in the team’s play.
90min (6.5/10):
According to 90min, when Mkhitaryan is in good shape, it’s nearly impossible to substitute him. Inzaghi made several changes to rest key players, but the Armenian midfielder stayed on the pitch until the end, underscoring his importance to the team.