After the high notes of last week with the victory over Napoli, which ended a twenty year barren spell at the San Paolo, Inter returned to San Siro to face the league’s top scorers in Atalanta. Saturday evening promised everything, here is what we learned..

Samir Handanovic Is Going To Take Some Replacing.

In somewhat harsh circumstances, Inter found themselves under threat of a defeat as the clock reached 85 minutes on Saturday. A soft penalty was given to the visitors and Luis Muriel had just twelve yards between him and an unlikely victory for La Dea.

Up stepped Il Capitano to the plate, and as the Slovenian does best, Samir Handanovic saved the Colombian attacker’s spot kick and with that a point for the hosts to keep up their unbeaten run which stretches back now to September.

When Julio Cesar was on his way out many wondered about the future and who his replacement may be. Lucky for Inter, Handanovic was that man and he has more than proved an able replacement in the corresponding years.

Not to say that day is soon but one day in the none to distant future Inter will have to replace the 37 year old stopper. Saturday proved once again what a mighty task that will be.

Kwadwo Asamoah Must Return As Soon As Possible 

Following their recent injury crisis, Inter are now finding themselves pretty much back at full strength. However, it is massively clear that they are missing the only man that is still out – Kwadwo Asamoah.

Much hope was cast in the direction of Cristiano Biraghi upon his return from Fiorentina in the summer but he has so far flattered to deceive. Valentino Lazaro is more adept on the right but even he hasn’t impressed too much so far either.

Conte needs Asamoah back ASAP as he offers experience, know how and capabilities in both attack and defence. Not to mention he is also the only current Inter player with a Scudetto win to his name.

 Oliver Giroud Would Be A Much Welcomed Addition. 

Inter desperately need to lower the workload on Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.

The two have been nothing less than mercurial so far this term but for those last fifteen or twenty minutes of a game or even home matches against your Brescia and SPAL types teams, they need resting.

Oliver Giroud offers a quality low cost alternative.

Over the past few years we have seen teams like Manchester City and Spurs trying to find reinforcements for Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane and struggling massively. Players who are of a similar level do not want to play second fiddle and those who are of a lesser ability want game time elsewhere or simply can’t cut the mustard.

For what will end up being around £5million, Inter get an experienced top level striker who isn’t a spent force, worked with Conte before and someone who is happy to play second fiddle at this stage in his career. No brainer.

Inter’s Average Home Attendance

To take attendances up from a sub 40,000 average up to over 60,000 in less than half a decade takes some doing. Inter fans are well and truly buying into their sides rebuild and revival and so far the players are receiving dividends from that.

The excellent home support means they Nerazzuri attract crowds similar to the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich which further signals their intentions and also capability to hit the top table.

Much has been said lately about how well Inter are making their move from a mid table side up to Scudetto challengers again but it really does look impressive when you lay out facts such as the above.

Clubs such as Manchester United should be taking note as they find themselves in much less of a mess than Inter were yet find themselves far behind on the pitch and in the dugout.

Plusvalenza 

It is so easy to remember that Inter find themselves lucky enough to have some serious re sale value in their loanees.

Gabriel Barbosa is one of the hottest strikers in world football at the moment and should demand a serious fee so long as Inter can market him right.

Joao Mario is doing nicely at Lokomotiv to the point where it should be expectation that they redeem his option to buy. You also have Dalbert doing well at Fiorentina and the enigmatic Radja Nainggolan in top form for Cagliari, although the Belgian may be trickier to shift.

Although these signings may not have worked out wonderfully on the pitch and do in respects mean a loss, Inter can still profit from the sale of said players.

The dealings Inter are looking to make could well be paid for solely by this deadwood which further represents how the club seems to be shifting into a far smarter one than in the past few years. Swapping Barbosa out for Christian Eriksen sounds like a Marotta deal at Juve…