WES’ INTER
Sneijder show, bye bye Udinese.
The third place race is heating up with the collapse of Reja’s men in Novara.
STRA-RIMONTA (COMEBACK)
Sneijder’s Inter conquer Udinese and fly to the fifth spot. Champions League is now at -3.
Two trequartisti is the winning choice of Stramacciono: 2 goals by Wes, the other by Alvarez.
Udine – Moratti and Stramaccioni, the “odd couple”, have always believed in the possibility of reaching the preliminary rounds of the Champions League. And the victory in Udine has transformed that bold idea into a credible hypothesis. Inter are, right now, only three points away from Lazio (with a direct confrontation on the last game of the season) and two from Napoli, the most formidable rival. So, everything is still up for grabs. The Nerazzurri are reaching the final sprint of the season with one more weapon in hands, a fresh Wesley Sneijder. Coaches and schemes are important but so are the champions on the field. And the Dutchman, with his legs and the right mental attitude, can make a real difference. Just like against Udinese.
Two trequartisti The match was decided in the first ten minutes. Guidolin’s team started going sixty miles per hour which made them score immediately with a torpedo by Danilo, but it was forced into a screeching halt by a left foot of Sneijder from the edge of the box. It bounced erratically and mocked an awkward Handanovic. The mistake that Udinese couldn’t get our of their head for the entire half. Inter, almost by accident, were in control of the game. Stramax, compared to the game in Florence, guessed the formula right this time. The two trequartisti in Sneijder and Alvarez always put the defense of Udinese in trouble by guaranteeing quality in the last 30 meters and finding precious space for the two fullbacks, Maicon and Nagatomo, to advance as well as some moments of attack by Guarin. The extra punch came from the 28th minute. After receiving a delicious pass by Milito, Sneijder smartly lobbed it over Handanovic brilliantly. Magical stuff. A goal which left Udinese wobbly, like a boxer who just got knocked out with one punch. The third punch, the 3-0, was provided by Alvarez. He was able to get pass Danilo before beating the goalkeeper with a diagonal shot with his right foot. The one that he loves less. Two trequartisti, three goals: the victory for Stramaccioni. The young coach now extends his unbeaten streak. 11 points in five matches are an important kick start for the club and at the Friuli, we saw a coach that is becoming more and more of a padrone of the team. The young man is learning fast. Good sign for him and bad for those that are candidates for his job.
In just five matches under Stramaccioni, Inter have reduced the gap between them and Lazio (3rd place) from 10 points to just 3.
Sneijder effect Let’s take a step back. Yesterday Inter found its masterclass in Wesley Sneijder, one that the fans have not seen much this season. Stopped by a burst of physical problems and some “contentious” tactics with previous coaches, Sneijder had not scored since October 26, 2011, nearly six months. Incredible right? And to find the last brace we have to go back to January 2010. The Dutchman is crucial to give substance to the team who is chasing a Champions League spot. Stramaccioni, wisely, has given Wesley the key of this team and he seems to have found the motivation.
Julio Certainly, Inter are still not a perfect machine. Just like in Florence, one of best players one the field was Julio Cesar. In the second half, Udinese continued running. The onslaught by Di Natale and some mistakes by the back four made Inter really under pressure. But it was all against the dam called Julio Cesar who has returned to his good old days. First the Inter keeper instinctively rejected a shot by Toto, then another but this time against Floro Flores. Inter were able to hang on until the end. Four more games to go. A bold idea has grown into a credible hypothesis.
