The season is back and the same old Pazza Inter remains. The blue and black half of Milano sure know how to give us a scare and they did just that in Saturday’s nail biting victory over Fiorentina.

Inter managed to twice bounce back from the dead with Danilo D’Ambrosio’s last gasp winner completing a 4-3 victory on Matchday 1 for the Nerazzuri.

Here is what we learned from our opening Serie A fixture.

Antonio Conte Has The Depth He’s Wanted For The Past Year

Subs won Inter the game on Saturday. Those subs weren’t Vecino, Valero, Gagliardini or even Eder, they were subs of quality.

Alexis Sanchez has been a revelation since lockdown and his energy and creative spark are vital for when Inter are floundering.

Stefano Sensi made the pitch and hopefully should be able to steer clear of injuries this term and fulfil his promise that he showed at the start of last term.

In 2015 we’d have dreamed to be able to bring on Arturo Vidal and Radja Nainggolan but better late than never. Those two would get in most sides starting XIs in the league so having them in reserve shows strength in depth.

Conte could do with a couple more areas being strengthened should finances allow such as left wing back and goalkeeper but the squad certainly looks stronger than in May.

Four At The Back?

Conte will never allow this and even in his post match comments alluded to the fact that it was just an in game tactic.

However, Inter looked stronger playing that way and the squads depth in midfield makes that possible.

Milan Skriniar is much more comfortable playing as a centre half in a back three and his partner Stefan De Vrij also.

A back four would help Kolarov who would slot in as a left back easily as there remains question marks over whether he is good enough as a centre half or fit enough to play wing back.

It’s certainly something Antonio needs to consider as it gives him a plan b.

Christian Eriksen

Plenty has been said regarding Christian Eriksen.

He arrived in January to much fan fare as one of the best attacking midfielders in world football and so far he hasn’t hit those heights.

He is still adapting to Conte’s ways and that is where he is at hence the inconsistency of his performances.

The Dane struggled on Saturday evening to match physicality whilst dictating the game from a creative point of view.

The manager however was full of praise for him post match saying he is improving and getting more of a ‘motor.’

Conte demands a lot of his players and players with more flair such as Eriksen have to adapt to his more robotic instructions.

Give him until January.

Diego Godin Or Aleksandar Kolarov?

One game in and it’s hard to see the benefits of this trade off.

Godin wasn’t as good as Inter hoped. Fact. However he did improve. You don’t go from spending ten years starting at Atletico to washed up over night.

On the other hand, his legs were tiring and he took up a decent wage and he wasn’t going to get younger so offload him.

In response, sign a guy the same age. The only positive in him being that he can play more than one position.

Kolarov has been an excellent player but it’s going to be very interesting to see if it was worth shipping out Diego Godin to have Kolarov attempt to play in the back three.

You Simply Cannot Take The Pazza Out Of Inter

This club’s DNA is to be as Pazza as possible.

Saturday was frightening on every level but the side came through and that is what is important.

A win was vital given the upcoming fixtures so getting off the mark was the aim of the game and the side achieved that.

Looking forward, Benevento away on Wednesday evening will be a test given their comeback win over Samp and their unbeatable form last term.

The weekend’s trip to the capital to face Lazio will be tough but perhaps playing them at this time of the season may be an advantage given their drop in form at the end of last term.

The weekend after sees the first Derby of the season. Inter must be ready for that.