In his regular weekly column Inter fanatic Sam Olsen dives deep into the stories that matter to Inter’s fans looking to keep the spirit of discussion and dispute alive and well on the pages of Sempreinter.com.
’History Never Repeats’, a classic song by New Zealand band Split Enz. After last season’s 0-7 white wash of Sassuolo on their own turf only the boldest of Inter supporters would have dared counter this statement. But repeat itself it did as Inter tore the Neroverdi apart from almost the word go in a display that lays down a marker for the rest of the season. Inter needed to come out hard at the San Siro and show that this was a place where opponents should fear to tread. That this is Nerazzurri ground. They made this statement and then some in a performance which will send a few shivers down the spines of those teams currently instilled as title favourites.
No doubt Sassuolo proved a willing accomplice in their own destruction, playing a high backline and a semi aggressive pressing game which left key playmaker Mateo Kovacic plenty of space to operate in and freeing Mateo Icardi from the shackles that held him against a defensive Torino. They cannot be criticized for at least attempting to play an open game but after this result it will be unlikely that too many other lower ranked teams will join them in their frivolous undertaking at the San Siro. The tactics of the opposition however, cannot take away from the display put on by Inter.
From back to front the team played as if juiced up on twenty cans of Red Bull each. They dripped with intent and their eyes burned with untamed malice. It was a determination, visibly missing from the tepid performance against Torino, characterised by a desire not to concede rather than to go out and win. Here it could not have been more different. Inter came out to win and after only three minutes were well on their way.
The team, liberated from Mazzarri’s strict defensive patterns and given the run of the ground by the wide open spaces left by their visitors, were able to showcase the ample talents of their carefully assembled squad. Kovacic thrived as the playmaker in general letting loose his dizzying array of passes and picking out the runs of his forwards with consummate ease. He even managed to pick up his first Serie A goal with a well worked run from the deep and clinical finish. Mauro Icardi reinforced my personal belief that he can be our key player by scoring three differing goals each showcasing his many abilities. The first was a classic poachers goal, picking up a delightful pass from Kovacic before seeing his initial shot blocked by the keeper at close range. Not to be deterred he kept his composure and eventually got the ball in the net. For his second he quickly assessed that he had created a little extra space, took a touch, composed himself, and sent a curler into the far side of the net from the edge of the box, displaying excellent awareness of where the goal was. For the third he made a delightfully timed run behind the defence and onto another peach of a pass from Kovacic before striking a shot across his body into the far corner. This was perhaps his best goal technically displaying poise and incredible technique to keep his balance centred and shoot across his own body into the corner while moving in the opposite direction. His ability to understand where he is in relation to the goal is phenomenal.
Then there was Osvaldo, a player I personally had major doubts about signing. Osvaldo seems to have developed a wonderful relationship with his strike partner Icardi and their complimentary runs will be vital when they come up against more resolute defences. He also chipped in with a couple of goals which will no doubt help him settle. Further back Gary Medel’s presence freed up Kovacic to show off his array of skills as he expertly shielded the defensive line and sent the fear of God through any Sassuolo taking the ball anywhere near his area of control. Another to delight was Dodo, the young Brazilian who is surely destined for national team duties in the not to distant future showed why Mazzarri was so quick to favour him over the more experienced Nagatomo on the left. He combines excellent speed, dribbling ability and crossing skills to provide a real threat down the flank. Over the season he will face many more difficult questions defensively but the signs are there that Inter pulled off a real coup in securing his signature.
Even the much maligned Fredy Guarin made a thrilling impact when coming on late with an almost miraculously unselfish assist for Osvaldo to mark his arrival, then a great finish to bring the score up to last season’s effort. Guarin may have wished to leave, and the club may have wished to sell in the summer, but if Mazzarri can ensure his defence is not in any way tied to the Columbian, he may have a very useful player ready to come off the bench.
It would be all too easy to get carried away with this result and read too much into what it means for the season but the fact is that not many teams will come to the San Siro and play as openly as Sassuolo did. Inter will not often be allowed that kind of freedom and we still have to demonstrate we have the guile and ability to break down the packed defences so often seen in the Serie A, a problem Mazzarri still hasn’t convinced in figuring out. We can however, hope that this is the beginning of reverting the San Siro back into the fortress of Inter football, where opposition teams arrive knowing in the back of their minds that they will lose. We can enjoy the wonderful taste of a comprehensive victory while it lasts, we can laud our players from the rooftops and we can dream of watching the players lift their clubs 19th title at the end of the season. Because that is what this game is all about.