Inter followed on from last week’s disappointing draw at Lecce with a home game against Cagliari, who visited San Siro for the second time in just over a week.
Inter have strengthened in the wing-back department for the second time this window by bringing Victor Moses in from Chelsea, a player highly rated by Conte from his time at the club.
Inter’s Dropped Points Are Handing Juventus The Lead They Want
Inter have now drawn three successive league games. Radja Nainggolan came back to haunt his parent side as his late strike snatched a point for Inter’s Sardinian visitors at Sunday lunch time.
Draws now against Atalanta, Lecce and Cagliari mean that Inter have dropped from top spot and could go down to third behind Lazio and the Old Lady, should the Biancocelesti win their game in hand.
The Nerazzuri find themselves lacking quality to sneak through games at a tough point in the season which makes their pursuit of the Scudetto tougher and tougher by the week. Christian Eriksen anyone?
Antonio Conte Showing His Inflexibility
Inter knew what they were getting when they appointed Antonio Conte. A manager with a record that is undisputed in Italy, moderate success at International level and a productive spell in England is someone who could attract a job at any club.
However, a slight criticism of the Italian is his stubbornness and inability to change his plan A. His 3-5-2 often does the damage but a change in system is sometimes needed to sneak games over the course of a season. Against Cagliari, he waited too long to make his changes and it cost the side.
Introducing a creative spark to feed the attack was needed and in 3-5-2 that isn’t always possible. A switch to a 3-4-1-2 would allow a creator to exploit the space behind the strikers or even a 3-4-3 with wingers could address this. Please be less stubborn Antonio.
Victor Moses Is A Short Term But Effective Fix For The Right Hand Side
Conte has made a clever move in the form of Victor Moses. The Nigerian played the best football of his career when coached at Chelsea by Conte and knows exactly what is required in the right wing-back role. Antonio Candreva has been good in the role so far this term but his form has tailed off so signing Moses brings him competition.
The move also allows Valentino Lazaro to get more minutes at Newcastle. A low-risk move that makes sense for both parties and allows more of the budget to be spent on more marquee signings. Clever business from Ausillo and co.
Frustration Key To Lautaro Martinez Losing His Cool
Regardless of the situation, Lautaro Martinez needed to be a little less rash and to keep his head and not get himself sent off. A lack of judgement or a lack of intelligence, whatever you want to call it, there’s no excuses.
Deep down Lautaro’s actions were what we were all thinking watching the game and some of that comes down to a vicious circle involving the manager, the fans and the players who were clearly and understandably frustrated by Inter dropping points in games they need to be winning.
In short, Inter need to find a cutting edge. During a full season, a side needs to find different ways of winning and Conte and his albeit inexperienced title challengers need to start doing that before it gets too late. Frustrations are understandable but Lautaro and co need to channel that energy better.
Christian Eriksen Signing Signals Inter’s Intent
It’s looking likely that by the time Inter next take to the field they will have a Danish maestro in the form of Christian Eriksen in their ranks. Inter will have a truly world class talent available, much to the bitterness of a certain so called pundit on Sky Sports UK.
A serious coup has been performed to get this deal over the line from Marotta and Ausillo and kudos must be given to Suning who are said to be backing the signing which will be a hefty investment in terms of weekly wages.
Despite a the side’s frustrating league form over the past few weeks, the club off the field are demonstrating a mass move forward from the past near decade of misery and underachieving. Hats off to Suning who are doing a great job of putting Inter back on the map.
