It’s been a while……….
Since I last spoke to you guys, we’ve had a Derby d’Italia, the agreement on a possible sale of shares with a sad realisation that Massimo Moratti may no longer continue as president and a 7-0 victory. Well this is Inter, what else did you expect?!! Here’s my five points from the last seven days plus a look ahead to the visit of Fiorentina.
Start believing in this team.
From the moment I arrived at the Metro stop Lotto last Saturday and started to make my way up the stairs there was clearly something very different happening. Gone were the long faces accompanied by apprehensive looks and nervous comments about the upcoming match, instead I found (3 hours before kick off) thousands of Interisti belting out ‘E facci un gol, E facci un gol, E Forza Inter facci un goooooooooollll’. Compared to the sour taste last seasons ninth place finish had left this was new, inspiring and exciting, it felt like the Inter I loved were back and everybody at the Meazza that day knew it. This good feeling didn’t stop, not even when Vidal spoiled every Interista’s day, instead I felt pride and a sense that we had begun a journey back to where so many of us feel we belong. There will certainly be tough times ahead but I believe in the work of Mazzarri and the attitude of these players. Avanti cosi ragazzi! (Continue like this guys).
End of an era? Not so fast…….
I have read many obituaries proclaiming the end of Massimo Moratti’s era as one of Inter’s leaders and most notably an end to his time as president. However, from everything that has been reported there is reason to believe that President Moratti will be keeping more than a casual eye on his beloved Inter. He may no longer be the president and he may sell over two thirds of his shares but in my opinion Erick Thohir will have to prove he is capable of leading this club before Moratti is willing to take his hands off the steering wheel. We hear rumours of buyback clauses and guaranteed investment, add to this the fact that at least three of Moratti’s entourage will sit on the board and the situation becomes very clear. Massimo Moratti will always do what is best for Inter, whether president or not.
The grass is always greener…..
I often read on Twitter and across the press about the fantastic players at other clubs. Many are quick to proclaim players from Napoli, Fiorentina and Roma as potential superstars or the future of calcio. Whether it’s Insigne of Naples or the newly acquired Strootman in Rome, fans and journalists take to their keyboards in droves waxing lyrical about these superb talents. Well I have some news that may surprise a few of the press core and many Interisti: We’ve got some pretty damn good players ourselves. It is so rare (unless a hardened few Interisti write it) that I will open up Twitter or articles written on Serie A to hear about the movement of Rodrigo Palacio or the organisation skills of Esteban Cambiasso and Hugo Campagnaro. Such a great number are ready to criticise every tiny mistake they forget that we have had a complete month of excellent performances. Four wins and a draw in all competitions. This has gone past the stage of fluke, we have a re born Alvarez, a world class goalkeeper, players like Icardi and Kovacic that are yet to fully make their mark on this young season. Add to that the returning Diego Milito, Javier Zanetti and Walter Samuel and I’ll argue that there is plenty to be excited about if you follow the Nerazzurri. So the next time a Milanista hails Mario and SES as the best thing since sliced bread, maybe just maybe you can tell him that our lads aren’t dong so bad either.
The true test for Walter Mazzarri
Of course the Juventus game was a test but when Inter face teams like Fiorentina, Roma and Napoli they will meet sides who will challenge the current preferred formation that the side has developed. This is when we will need our coach the most, Napoli for example could badly expose Inter’s back three with their savage, pacy attacks down the flanks. Roma’s midfield three will be a very hard proposition for Inter and once again Mazzarri may have to tinker with his side in order to get a result. Firstly though the new Inter coach will have to deal with Montella’s Fiorentina, a side which ripped Inter to shreds in the second half of last season. Will he stay with the tried and tested? or is it time to make a change in order to cope with the very dangerous side that the Viola have become?
Is the clock ticking for Fredy Guarin?
So poor have been the first half performances from the Colombian in Inter’s last two fixtures that I wondered if he would even reappear from the tunnel after the half time interval. Acceptable is about the nicest word I can find to describe his second half efforts but with Mateo Kovacic slowly returning to fitness and the emergence of Saphir Taider the alarm bells must be ringing for Inter’s enigmatic number 13. The problem Mazzarri will have is that Guarin on his day is so destructive and forceful that he can truly be a real difference maker. He eats up the ground and is a real handful in both attack and defence. However his recent inconsistency has definitely caught Mazzarri’s eye and the ex Porto man will need to find another gear if he is to keep his place in this ever improving Nerazzurri side.
Speak to you next week, Sempre Forza Inter!