Swiss defender Manuel Akanji of Inter is experiencing a very different start to the season compared to what he delivered last season, as he has shown many signs of decline, coinciding with the shaky performance of the team's backline, which has been suffering from repeated defensive errors.
Manuel Akanji was a key figure in Inter's defense last season, showcasing his consistency and strength in individual duels, along with his ability to handle spaces behind the high defensive line. This stability was one of the reasons for the non-renewal of contracts for Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij, relying on the reliability of the Swiss defender.
However, the picture has changed this season, as clear gaps have appeared in Akanji's performance, most notably the space he left behind in the matches against Inter and Monza, which Varela exploited to score his team's goal after receiving a vertical pass from Mout. The 31-year-old defender also struggled in aerial duels during the loss to Udinese, where he was outperformed by Abankwah, who scored his team's opening goal.
The decline extended to the recent clash against Club Brugge, where Akanji failed to limit the danger posed by Tresoldi, as did his substitute Vermant, and he appeared unable to cope with the attacking movements, both during the third goal for the Belgian team and the fourth goal that sealed the result. This decline raises questions about the impact of international match pressure with the Switzerland national team on his physical and mental readiness, as well as the erratic performance of his teammates in the back line.
Despite having a rest during the 3-0 win over Parma, Akanji did not regain his usual form against Club Brugge. It also does not seem that his transition to playing in central defense alone explains this decline, having delivered good performances in this position last season.
Christian Kivu faces the challenge of restoring the best version of the Swiss defender, who was considered one of the top defenders in Serie A during the 2025-2026 season. Inter need to regain their defensive solidity and reduce the mistakes that have cost them more goals compared to the start of last season.
