Following on from Inter’s tremendous return from the brink in the Derby last weekend, they faced their toughest week of the campaign to date.

A Coppa Italia loss at home in the first leg to Napoli was followed by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of fellow title challengers Lazio left Inter staring back wondering what might have been. Let us analyse what went wrong for the Nerazzuri in a crunch week.

Daniele Padelli…Again

I’m just going to get this one over and done with so we can all move on but once again the finger can firmly be pointed towards Daniele Padelli.

Yes he’s not going to be Samir but he’s poor display last week against Milan was more than matched by a horror show in Rome against Lazio.

His indecisiveness caused a mix up between him and Milan Skriniar which led to Lazio’s penalty and questions could be asked about how quick he got down to Milinkovic Savic’s winner.

The sooner Handanovic’s back the better. Should another injury come Samir’s way, better back up is needed.

Ashley Young Rolling Back The Years

Many eyebrows were raised when Conte cherry picked Ashley Young as one of his January signings.

So far he’s been magnificent but one thing that really stands out is just how fit he is. Playing as a wing back in Conte’s system replies some serious energy in getting up and down supporting both attack and defence and despite his 34 years on the clock he is making it look easy.

His crosses into the box add a different dimension as they ask questions all the time and it was really pleasing to see his work rewarded with a goal on Sunday.

Perhaps we might see Young beyond summer at this rate…

Christian Eriksen Needs Time

Christian Eriksen will be a success at Inter provided he is given time to settle and come into the side slowly.

It must not been forgotten that the Dane hasn’t exactly had the most straightforward season at a Spurs side in transition with contract issues being blown through the media and the stands.

He is playing in a different country and in a different league surrounded by new team mates in a new system under a new coach. We won’t see the best of Eriksen until perhaps next season. Conte needs to be trusted on this one.

Victor Moses Or Antonio Candreva?

Antonio Candreva returned to the capital again this week to take on his former side Lazio and it was a stark reminder of the player he used to be.

As much as the former Italy international has been much improved this term as he has put some work in on the training field to get himself in shape, he isn’t the player who scored double figures in three successive seasons for Lazio.

Then you have Victor Moses. A player who has spent the last few months with Fenerbahce and then on the bench at Chelsea prior to that. He has yet to convince in his brief cameos thus far.

Valentin Lazaro is out on loan and Danilo D’Ambrosio offers more as the right sided centre back when fit.

What I’m trying to get at is it seems as if Inter will be back in the market for a right wing back come summer. One can’t help but feel massively frustrated that Sime Vrsajlko couldn’t stay fit..

Not Time To Panic…Yet

It’s been a disappointing week let’s not deny that.

Defeats in key games are really frustrating as they mean more than others.

The frustrating part is knowing that Inter do have the depth and ability to see this games out but it seems like they lack the character and perhaps experience to see it out.

Both defeats come against fairly good sides but the concern is that neither Lazio or Napoli particularly had to do anything special in order to win.

Padelli’s short sightedness and De Vrij’s minimal contact let Lazio back in to the game just after the break. Vecino’s poor clearance and it’s 2-1 then there’s no way back. This just demonstrates how key small moments are in games and Inter seriously need to work on getting the better of those.

On a positive note. Napoli parking the bus shows how far Inter have come. They are now respected again and although they found themselves the wrong side of the scoreline at The Olimpico they still remain just three points off top with Juve to come in just over a weeks time.

Still lots to go but this defeats can only be used positively if something is learned from them.