Inter got back to winning ways after Mauro Icardi scored the 50th Serie A goal of his career. The Argentinian is only 22 years old and this was only his 109th appearance in the Serie A. This if something says about the natural goal scoring ability of Maurito and this is also why my opinion is that Inter needs to adapt their game to Icardi. A lot has been written and said about Icardi not moving enough or helping the team enough and many times I’ve expressed my opinion on the matter. Maurito moves well, but isn’t served enough. After missing the penalty in the derby, the striker was blasted but I think that was wrong. Anyone could send the goalkeeper the wrong way and unluckily hit the post on a penalty, not anyone could score as naturally as Mauro does.
I think the biggest problem Inter has had this season is not building the play around serving Icardi and getting the ball to him quicker. With the midfield not having the quality, that’s a problem in serving Icardi but also the offensive players need to do better. Jovetic, Perisic and Ljajic all need to do their most in serving Icardi because that way Inter will win games. Today Eder and Palacio did a lot of sacrifice which led to Icardi getting a lot of chances. Icardi not only gets the chances with his movements, but also opens of for his striking partners, which was seen today when Palacio was served both once and twice by his striking partner. The goal came after a lucky bounce and hit, but he still scored and Ausilio said after the game that Maurito has been scoring goals in the Serie A since he was 19 and he will keep doing so because it’s what’s natural for him.
Enough about Maurito and back to the game. The first half was one of the best Inter has played this season. The team controlled possession(73%) and created a lot of chances(15 shots, 5 on goal) without suffering any chances at all(Chievo had 1 shot and 0 on goal). Kondogbia, Icardi, Palacio, everyone got close to get a goal but Chievo’s for me unknown goalkeeper had a great game. For anyone who didn’t know, there’s a good mathematic explanation to this:
Insert random mediocre keeper + Away game against Inter at Meazza = Fu!#¤%&ing amazing performance.
Jokes aside. Inter played a really good first half. Telles was doing great which once again leaves me in asking why Mancini didn’t start him in the derby. Even Nagatomo had a great game and was among the best players on the field. The Japanese winger did well offensively, defensively and only the bar stopped Icardi’s header from giving Yuto an assist. After seeing how Inter has struggled on the wings, it was nice to see both Telles and Nagatomo put in good performances that helped the team in dominating the first half and put Chievo under pressure. Eder showed his qualities at times and I really think that he will help the team. I just as everyone else would’ve loved to have a midfielder as well, but it’s clear that this team needs goals and Eder adds something different than all of the rest of the strikers. Palacio also did well and even though he’s missing what he had two years ago, he’s more a team player than both Ljajic and Jovetic. Palacio’s runs and thinking is all about serving the team and his teammates. He helps out a lot and is, a steady threat against the opposition. Palacio is a generous players that deserves to be praised for his efforts and if everyone would give what he gives, Inter would look like a team of lions.
Icardi’s early goal in the second half gave Inter a good position to finish of the game quickly but instead, in the last team minutes, the team started to crumble. I can’t help but believe that Inter’s problem is more mental, than anything else. Chievo could attack freely, without suffering any counter attack from Inter, and the away team piled up half-chances in the end. Inter looked terrified to let a goal in and had no calm whatsoever when they got hold of the ball. For the first time we had only 3 minutes added on and not 5 as usual which might have saved us the game. I hope that Ausilio, Mancini and the rest of them are aware of this mental problem and look for players who are used to suffering or that can handle tight situations. When Inter won titles, it was with a mentally very strong group that knew how to suffer. And after all, suffering is in Inter’s DNA.
Until the next one, FORZA INTER.
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