In his weekly column for Gazzetta dello Sport, noted journalist Luigi Garlando commented on Inter’s 1-0 loss to Torino yesterday.
“To celebrate [what would have been] his 100th birthday, Torino has given Valentino Mazzola a victory against Inter, who his son Sandro played for.
“It was a victory that took a lot of heart and pride. It is a victory that can turn Torino’s season around. Being just five points away from the Champions League can give them optimism.
“The form of Milan, Roma and Lazio has limited the damage in the standings for Inter but Inter’s performance was so bad that it legitimises the concern.”
Garlando then looked at Inter manager Luciano Spalletti’s decision to change Inter’s formation to 3-5-2.
“It is a formation used by inferior teams to limit the superior teams and with Inter using two full backs it was more of a 5-3-2. It works for Torino because they were designed for this. Inter were dragged in to the bull ring by Toro. They created few chances and lost a goal from a set-piece.
“It was a very childish defeat, especially for Spalletti who has certainly not protected his future at the club. There was a lack of ideas, no heart and no sense of responsibility about the team. Inter lack a solid tactical identity even after half a season. It seemed that Inter had found their system with the 4-3-3 but now they have sadly taken a step back.”