Italian journalist Luigi Garlando discussed Inter’s poor performance against Parma on Saturday in an editorial in yesterday’s paper edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Dismembered from Lukaku’s broad shoulders, Inter discovers how hard life is. Down by two goals, they come back in the final minutes with the usual mad Inter impetus.
“Two goals from Gervinho, not signed by Nerazzurro, who would have been very convenient. It remains a mystery that a club with Inter’s ambitions have such a small offensive backup.”
He highlighted how Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta, who are also fighting to finish at the top of the table, have significantly more attacking options.
“In the afternoon Atalanta attacked with Muriel, Zapata, Gomez, Ilicic and had a couple more on the bench.”
The Italian journalist touched on the Milanese club’s upcoming Champions League match against Real Madrid tomorrow.
“The team need Tuesday, also to restore confidence in the environment. Conte cannot go on repeating, ‘I am happy. We always play the game. Look at the statistics’.
“The big teams always win the games they dominate, and often the others too.”
Garlando discussed Inter’s poor attack in yesterday’s 2-2 draw and the importance of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku.
“A long attack slow and sad like in the second half in Kiev, without the Ukrainian fury, because Eriksen slowed down the pressing without giving light. Unsolved puzzle.
“The fact that the absence of a single player, Lukaku, disfigures so much a team is a serious limitation of that team.”
He touched on how coach Antonio Conte could look to tinker with his tactical system slightly.
“At this point, Conte could also review his ideas. Liverani almost won at the San Siro, revising his own. With Ranocchia and De Vrij as pure central defenders, who are not participating in the maneuver, Inter gave two men to Parma.”
Finally, Garlando spoke about a possible solution for Inter that could look to fix their issues.
“Vidal nearly scored 3-2 with an offensive move that is his bread and butter, much more than being the last defensive midfielder.
“A 4-3-1-2 with Hakimi and Young as full backs, Barella, Brozovic, Nainggolan in the middle and Vidal in support of Lukaku-Lautaro could be a working hypothesis. Conte has to invent something.”
Inter will need to bounce back ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash against Spanish giants Real Madrid on Tuesday, a vital game in the competition considering that both teams have started poorly in Europe.