The transfer window has slammed shut and Inter find themselves facing an international break knowing that Milan await them the following weekend.
The past week has been intriguing with Inter stuffing Benevento comfortably before returning from the capital with a point in the bad tempered 1-1 draw with Lazio.
Here is what we learned this week from Inter:
Milan Skriniar Stays Put
Thankfully the rumoured move to Spurs did not happen for Milan Skriniar and he is still an Inter player. The Slovakian centre-half has found himself almost out of favour and not massively backed by his manager since the turn of the new year which has prompted rumours of a potential departure.
A deal involving Tanguy Ndombele coming the other way was even briefly mentioned but thankfully Skriniar is going to stay at the blue side of the Meazza.
What is now crucial is that Conte makes the most use of Skriniar whilst he has him as he has proven ability to be one of the best in Serie A. His form under Luciano Spaletti made him the form centre back in the league and one of the best in Europe. Please don’t drive him away Antonio he is a future captain.
Roberto Gagliardini Has Improved A Lot
Just as it is right to pull a player up when he is underperforming, it is right to give them praise when the opposite occurs.
Since the restart, Gagliardini looks rejuvenated and full of beans. We have now been able to see glimpses of the player that Stefano Pioli brought in from Atalanta for big money back in 2017.
Gags looks fitter, sharper and his temperament looks much improved so long may in continue. He backed up his excellent form with a superb goal against Benevento last week and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be adding more to his game.
Keep up the good work Roberto!
Arturo Vidal Brings Gritty Experience
The signing of Arturo Vidal was met with a few raised eyebrows. His performances for Barcelona had hardly set the world on fire and their willingness to let him leave for just less than a million euros expressed that his best days were behind him.
However, his experience and know how have brought much needed grit to the Nerazzuri with his role in Ciro Immobile’s sending off on Sunday paying testament to that.
The vast majority of the current Inter squad are younger players plucked from Serie A sides or players who have little medals in their drawers at home, whereas Vidal has been a winner.
Vidal has winners medals from Serie A, the Bundesliga, La Liga and even a Copa America whilst further outlines the idea of ‘been there and done it’ that he possesses.
If only he was around at the time of the Europa League final, a game that would have cried out for his industrial style.
Inter Have Squad Depth
The main aim of the window for Inter was to add squad depth and it can be said with a great deal of confidence that they have managed that.
The midfield is the strongest in Serie A without a doubt with it now being bolstered by the arrival of Vidal and the return of Radja Nainggolan after his year back in Sardinia.
Despite the loss of Diego Godin and Lorenzo Pirola’s loan to Monza, Inter boast strong centre back options and the depth in wing-back is extraordinary with Hakimi, Young, Perisic, Darmian, Kolarov and D’Ambrosio all capable of playing as a wing back.
The forward line looks better with Alexis Sanchez signing permanently and Andrea Pinamonti returning from Genoa to give Lukaku and Lautaro some restbite.
Even in the goalkeeping department, one feels much more confident with Ionut Radu there should anything happen to Samir.
Inter performed excellently last term domestically and in Europe but ultimately they lacked experience and depth to cope with the demands. The added depth ives them options to rotate so players can be rested in lower stakes league fixtures or in cup competitions. In order to fight on all fronts, teams need big squads and Inter are certainly assembling one of substance at the moment.
Promising Start But A Missed Opportunity On Sunday
Sunday’s game at Lazio was a pulsating affair. Both sides left it all out on the pitch and the game itself was full of drama and talking points. However, one can’t help but think that Inter missed a key opportunity in a big game to score some much needed points early season.
Going into the half time break 1-0 up and comfortable should have given Inter a platform but instead they flattered to deceive and let in a poor goal with Samir Handanovic potentially at fault.
Inter then regressed until Immobile’s red card which then put them in the driving seat but bar Marcelo Brozovic’s deflected effort that hit the post, Inter couldn’t press home their one man advantage.
The leveling up of red cards by the referee due to the sending off of Stefano Sensi ended Inter’s hopes of all three points and left Antonio Conte’s men wondering what could have been.
Inter won’t have a better chance of catching a big side off guard and with the Madoninna next, all three points could have afforded them to drop points against Pioli’s men and not lose early ground. Having said that, Milan simply don’t beat Inter these days.
