icardi

Maybe angry is too strong a word but I’d certainly describe my feelings at the final whistle in Genoa as frustrated. That frustration emanates from watching this team struggle so badly through the winter and early spring months. Barely able to string consecutive results together against the likes of Catania, Chievo, Cagliari, Atalanta, Udinese and Bologna, watching this team had become quite frankly torturous. After last Saturday’s draw with Bologna I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the Nerazzurri this afternoon, although seeing a midfield with Hernanes, Cambiasso and Kovacic starting gave me hope. After a tepid opening ten minutes or so the game burst into life, Mauro Icardi gave Inter the lead, baited the crowd and got a yellow card for his troubles. Ranocchia pulled a Ranocchia and gave Maxi Lopez the chance to level the score from the spot, Handanovic saved his defenders blushes with a fine save. At that point you couldn’t help thinking this could be Walter Mazzarri’s sides day (finally) and that feeling was confirmed when Sampdoria were reduced to ten men just two minutes after the penalty miss.

With Inter up by a man and a goal it would be plain sailing from here right? RIGHT? Wrong……. Samir Handanovic was forced into save after save as Inter struggled to string more than four passes together for the remainder of the first half. Lopez, Sansone and Soriano all saw efforts brilliantly saved by the Slovenian international. I couldn’t help think at half time: Where has THIS Handanovic been for the majority of the season? After what I can only assume was a good old fashioned rant by Mazzarri at the break, the real Inter emerged for the second period. An Inter with Kovacic and Cambiasso controlling the midfield, Rolando and Samuel dominant at the back. Add to this the constant threat of Palacio and Icardi with use of the wingers and a much improved performance was delivered. Walter Samuel doubled Inter’s lead and Mauro Icardi added a third with his second of the game. The final nail in the coffin was delivered by the irresistible Rodrigo Palacio with a calmly dispatched fourth.

Now comes the anger, why has Kovacic been left out for so long? Where has this fight been in the majority of games this season? Why did it take half time for these players to grab control of a match they could clearly win? Why is the team still incapable of delivering a ninety minute performance? For now though I’ll settle for remembering Samir’s saves, Maurito’s goals, Rodrigo’s industry and finishes, together with the reemergence of a potential star (Kova). Grande Samir, Grande Mauro & Rodrigo and Grande Mateo. Welcome back to the Inter I expect to see for the rest of the season.