In his weekly column for Corriere della Sera, Mario Sconcerti has praised the Inter team for the way they have carried themselves in the absence of Mauro Icardi.

“All the players are waiting for the Icardi situation to come to an end. They are working much harder than before. It is nice to see a united Inter,” he said.

“This means that there is quality in the squad but that quality is more measured at certain times than others.

“Players love to have discipline, have schedules, demanding bosses but they love respecting them even less yet they respect those who give them out.

“Icardi’s problem has never been one of a personal nature, with or without Wanda. The problem with him is the division that is caused between the players.”

He concluded by stressing Inter may need to force him to play, especially now that Inter have a few teams breathing right down their neck in the race for Champions League qualification.

“The showdown continues in terms of bringing him back to play. They may need to force him to play and have him deal with it because the enemies are back at the door.”