Five talking points from Serie A Matchday 13

#2 Inter Milan raising title hopes with each passing week

Whisper it quietly but the Nerazzurri can challenge for the scudetto

Each passing week, the bookies bet their bottom dollar on the Nerazzurri to drop points; and each passing week, they incur substantial losses.

13 games into the new season, Inter Milan stand as the only other side apart from leaders Napoli to remain undefeated thus far, a testimony to their blistering start.

Buoyed by target man Mauro Icardi's rich vein of form, Luciano Spaletti's side is off to a flyer and isn't showing signs of slowing down. Mid-table strugglers Atalanta was their latest victims, as the Argentinian forward bagged another brace to secure all three points for the hosts.

One of the instrumental reasons for such a strong start isn't only the lethal attacking, but also an obdurate defending, having conceded just 9 times in 13 games. This Inter Milan team is more fearless than what they've been in years and look like a cohesive, smoothly functioning unit.

The fact they're undefeated against Napoli, AS Roma, Fiorentina and AC Milan only add more substance to the statement.

To consider the Black and Blues as title favorites at this juncture might seem taking the biscuit too far for a few, but one shouldn't disregard the credibility. The Lombardy outfit is growing stronger week after week, and continuing in the same vein would spice up the Champions League race.