Inter made their final steps towards 2021 with their final fixtures in Serie A this week. Wins over Napoli and Spezia at San Siro took their winning run to six games.
To make it seven they would have to win away at the Bentegodi against miserly Hellas Verona who were yet to concede more than two in a game all season.
A 2-1 win over Ivan Juric’s side made magic seven despite a clanger from Samir Handanovic to put Inter top heading into the Christmas before neighbours AC Milan played their fixture later in the evening.
Here’s what we learned from Inter over the course of the final week and what needs addressing in early 2021.
Inter Look Much Better With A Settle Three At The Back
With the strong three of Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni, Inter look much stronger at the back.
Although much has been made about Samir Handanovic’s drop in form post lockdown, Inter look much more assured with a consistent back three of players who are natural centre backs also.
Danilo D’Ambrosio and Aleksandr Kolarov’s attempts in that position prove the above correct and it’s no coincidence that Inter have stopped conceding as many goals as they did early season with mix match back lines.
Lesson learnt for Conte.
A Flexible Antonio Conte Highlights The Need For Papu Gomez
Although Stefano Sensi is back to full fitness, he needs to be managed with kid gloves at the moment.
The risk of him getting injured is high and he and Inter cannot afford more time on the treatment table.
His role in the side to drive the midfield into attack simply cannot be done by anyone else at the same level in Inter’s squad.
However, a certain Argentine is available down the road in Bergamo and he certainly would fill the role.
Conte has relented to a 3-4-2-1 of some sorts with a two pronged attack behind Lukaku which would suit Papu Gomez down to the ground.
Inter would be foolish not to at least try and make a move for the former Catania man to add drive and creativity to a side lacking.
Ashley Young Showing His Age
Ashley Young has been a solid addition but he needs to move into the role of a squad player now to get the best out of him.
The ex-Watford man looks tired and unable to get up and down and offer his best at both ends of the pitch like Conte expects of his wing backs.
This is by no means a criticism of Young but in order to upgrade the side, in January if possible, a new left sided wing back with more miles in his legs would be needed.
Future Looking Bright With Inter’s Hellas Verona Loanees
Inter came face to face with Federico Di Marco and Eddie Salcedo as they made the trip to the Bentegodi.
Both Inter youngsters looked more than comfortable playing at top level in Italy which is so encouraging for the future.
Eddie Salcedo looks very raw but is full of energy and showed his battling qualities in engaging in a war with De Vrij which left him with a bandaged forehead.
Federico Di Marco gives Inter a little bit of a dilemma given he offers real attacking threat from a left sided wing-back position. The ex-Parma man needs to work on his decision making in order to improve but he could well become an option in a problem area for the Nerazzuri.
Whether these players can establish themselves for the Nerazzuri remains to be seen but both men are proving they can certainly make careers at Serie A level.
First Steps For 2021 Rely On The Transfer Window
With 2020 now in the books in terms of fixtures, Inter can have a break and reflect on a year full of highs and lows.
A Europa League final and best Serie A finish in a decade at the end of last term showed progress before a damn Champions League campaign has left this term in the balance.
A good run of form in the league to draw to the year shows promise but this needs building on in the early months.
Inter start January with a home game against basement club Crotone before away trips to Sampdoria and Roma which gives them a chance of keeping that winning run going.
The window will be tricky to navigate but the squad needs trimming down so that must be a priority.
Players such as Radja Nainggolan, Andrea Pinamonti and Matias Vecino need offloading as does Christian Eriksen perhaps.
A new creative attacking midfielder, a left wing back and a new goalkeeper to replace the much maligned Samir Handanovic must be on the shopping list.
The turn of 2021 also gives Inter a chance to focus hard on the Scudetto challenge given they have no European football to worry about.
2021 could be Inter’s best year in over a decade. They must rest up over Christmas and make sure they’re improving the squad over the window and return all guns blazing against Crotone.
