Most of the talks preceding the match were of Erick Thohir being in the stands for his first match as Inter President. And let’s face it the new president did his part, showing his abilities in the marketing field. The initiative to invite former Inter players to San Siro was beautiful. Too bad the game played on the pitch wasn’t as satisfying as seeing around 50 old Inter legends parading on it before the game.
Former Inter player Sinisa Mihajlovic had his Sampdoria playing aggressively all over the pitch from the first minute giving the nerazzurri opportunities to do what Mazzarri’s team does best – counter attack. Rodrigo Palacio and Ricky Alvarez were a delight in the first half, with Ricky assisting Guarin beautifully to the Inter goal in the 17th minute. Palacio kept the Sampdoria defense working hard throughout the first half with smart runs and passing.
Unfortunately there was also a second half. And as we’ve seen so often this season this team has a tendency to drop points along the way by losing focus on the pitch. Inter was not visible in the second half, if it weren’t for Cambiasso the midfield would’ve been an utter embarrassment. So when the newly subbed in Renan scored the 1-1 equalizer for Samp in the 87th minute I don’t think anyone was surprised. This team is still under construction and it suffers from old habits, a one goal lead is much too fragile to hold on to.
Many things have changed off the pitch in the last couple of weeks, new president etc. Mazzarri was apprehensive before the game about the event created by Thohir for the old players and the “festive” aura surrounding the game. He was afraid that the players would be affected, it seems he was right. No matter what happens in the club, who runs it, the players are the ones to go out on the pitch and perform. It is time to return the focus to where it should go, to the players. The lack of intensity in the second half lead to yet another infuriating draw and lost points along the way.
On the club society level this was a new beginning, but on the pitch it was the old ones that kept it together. Cambiasso was the leader and then there was the one thing that is constant in this club, the mythical being called Javier Zanetti was back for his first 90-minute game as captain of the season. Let us hope Mazzarri will be able to bring the old and new Inter together and bring the best out of them. Because these dropped points so far will prove costly and an Inter that is aiming for the top positions can’t afford to keep this up.
