Milan based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport have underlined the dangerous tendency Inter is showing by throwing away points against “smaller” teams.
Inter continues to lose points in the standings against teams within reach, by underachieving against mid-table and below teams. The nine points Inter is behind Juventus have been lost, except for the draw against Torino, against three modest teams in Sassuolo, Parma and Atalanta.
On the other hand, against teams that finished amongst the top six last season, Inter has six points out of six having beaten both AC Milan and Lazio. This is not something new, but if this trend is confirmed this means that the highest level is yet to be reached. Just by looking back at last year’s season there is enough evidence, including the last round win against Lazio that got Inter to the UCL this season. The only defeat came away against Juventus at the end of the game. To sum up: against teams from seventh spot and below Inter threw away 27 points against lesser teams. In 2016/2017 33 points were lost, 28 in 2015/2016, 39 in 2014/2015 and 33 in 2013/2014 33.
It goes without saying that every game can not be won, but in total there are 84 points to be picked up from teams from seventh place and below. If Inter wants to fight for the 2nd place, more points must be won against the “smaller” teams. This is something that Spalletti has to resolve.