Former Inter president Massimo Moratti sees no reason why the Nerazzurri cannot challenge for the Serie A title this season after they beat city rivals AC Milan on Sunday night.
The 1-0 Derby della Madonnina victory was Inter's third win in a row this season, and they lead the standings after three games as the only club yet to have dropped any points.
Roberto Mancini's side already have an eight-point advantage over defending champions Juventus, and Moratti is cautiously optimistic enthusiastic about their Scudetto chances.
"It was a beautiful win," Moratti told TeleLombardia after Inter's 1-0 triumph at the San Siro, according to La Repubblica. "The team are playing well, bearing in mind how difficult it is to field so many new players together, as good as they all are.
"Alex Telles and Felipe Melo also did very well, for example. It's hugely satisfying. We're top now and, with patience and attention, we can reach the objective which we defined, which was qualifying for the Champions League.
"It doesn't get you anywhere talking about the Scudetto now, but it is something we can think about. I expected us to win tonight. It seemed like they were particularly motivated."
Not since Hector Cuper sat on the Inter bench in 2002-03 have they made such a prolonged winning start to a Serie A season, but coach Mancini has urged caution: "The league table doesn't matter right now. You need 15 games before it starts to take shape."
Without European football to think about, Inter's next fixture is at unbeaten Chievo next Sunday, before they host the other Veronese club Hellas three days later at the San Siro. They will then face a more serious test of their title credentials with games against Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Juventus.
"We're not in top form yet, but things are going just fine," added Mancini to Sky Sport Italia.