Today is the day that Mauro Icardi returns to group training, after 36 days of absence. This morning, Icardi, will train with those at Pinetina, who were not summoned for international duty, Gazzetta dello Sport detail.
After the diplomatic work carried out by Marotta and Nicoletti, now the ball falls into Luciano Spalletti’s court as people begin to speculate how the coach will use him until the end of the season at which point both Spalletti’s and Icardi’s futures will be determined.
The Milan based newspaper is still curious as to what Mauro Icardi achieved by using Nicoletti. On the face of it, it doesn’t seem to be anything practical. Icardi won’t be given the captaincy back, which before the involvement of Nicoletti seemed to be Icardi’s condition to return. Was it an apology he was after? It is know that he didn’t like the media’s stories, for which Inter did have some sympathy because Icardi himself could of gone to the media but he preferred to wait until the situation was resolved internally. Now there are only positives, Inter has recovered a very important player with great abilities who has lost a great deal of value as a result of sitting for so long out. Even though a Summer sale was not discussed, it seems unlikely that the two parties remain together.
The ball in now in Inter manager Luciano Spalletti’s court. How will he use the number nine? Spalletti will have to clarify this with the dressing room because despite Icardi’s importance, the coach has been the most vocal about his lack of appreciation for Icardi’s actions over the last month and a bit.
Some reports suggest Icardi could return straight away against Lazio, with the hope that he gets a goal and starts to earn the fans forgiveness but this is unlikely.
Over the last 36 days new hierarchies have emerged, namely Lautaro, who has earned his spot in his “mentors” absence. There is also the matter of his physical condition, after 36 days out, he will no doubt be very far behind his teammates. Finally, when Icardi left, Inter were five points clear of fifth and although they hit a bump and got knocked out of the Europa League, now they are six points clear, for Spalletti this means that Icardi must earn his place back all over again. There was a phone call between the two yesterday which marked the start of mending their relationship.