Inter returned from the international break facing a tough Sampdoria side blocking their path.
Reinvigorated by the signing of Ciccio Caputo from Sassuolo, Samp battled hard against the Nerazzuri and managed to rescue a point through a fantastic strike by left-back Tommaso Augello.
An improvement on last season’s defeat at the Luigi Ferraris but not quite the result that Inter would’ve hoped for. Let us dive into what they have taught us this week.
1) Don’t Be Too Hard On Travelling Players
No one likes international breaks unless you are really strange. Fact. However, whilst the majority of us casually take in friendlies it is easy to forget that players do lots of travelling and find themselves returning to clubs and are straight back in training for the weekend.
This is especially as huge given Inter’s squad and the stars they boast which is something bearing in mind when you assess Sunday lunchtime’s performance against Sampdoria of whom have limited players on international duty.
Inter improved their result from their last visit to Samp and were very unfortunate not to take all three points and whilst the performance wasn’t perfect, it needs taking into consideration the events leading up to the game.
2. Federico Dimarco’s Left Foot Does The Damage
I myself have been harping on about ex-Verona man in my weekly column and he well and truly came up trumps this weekend with an outstanding opener.
The self confessed Interista bent a twenty yard free-kick into the top corner of Emil Audero’s goal to put Inter ahead, a goal worthy of a player in form and keen to impress his new manager and team mates.
After an excellent year and a half in Verona, Dimarco is well and truly back in the fold and looks more than ready to stake a claim for the left wing back role for seasons to come.
3. Simone’s Subs
This isn’t a criticism or an early knife in the back of the new coach when Inter have dropped points.
However, to make all of his substitutions as early as he did was a little kamikaze and left Inter short after the inevitable injury to Stefano Sensi.
The former Lazio boss has been known for making rash and rather predictable subs during his time coaching in the capital and also isn’t afraid to remove his best players. On the flip side it is good that he shows no bias to his key men but he must improve on game management with is substitutes to grow as a coach.
4. Stefano Sensi’s Inter Future Unclear
After his arrival in the summer of 2019, Stefano Sensi exploded onto the scene in blue and black and lit up the first few months of the Antonio Conte era.
Fast forward two years and the former Cesena midfielder has completed just 30 appearances for Inter due to constant injuries. After hobbling off yet again against Samp, with an injury which could keep him out for up to a month, questions need to be asked about this man’s capability to play football.
An undoubtedly excellent player on his day and an asset to Inter’s squad but given his deteriorating physical state surely his time in Inter colours is drawing to a close.
5. Looking Ahead To The Champions League Must Now Be The Focus
The surge for success at club level means being competitive in all competitions, something that Inter must master.
After getting the Scudetto monkey off their back by winning the league last term, Inter must now focus on re-establishing themselves at Europe’s top table. Starting with Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.
An ailing and ageing Real Madrid side fresh from the departures of their two main centre backs over the summer managed to squeeze by Inter last term but this year will be tougher for Los Blancos.
Inter have experience now of seeing out silverware and now head into their third straight year in their fourth straight year in the competition.
Their easiest group to date awaits them after their status as champions guaranteed them a first seed placement. Inter must start strongly.
Most Inter fans will for sure accept 2nd in the league should Inter put together a strong run in this competition if it meant that they became more established an helped them attract more players in the transfer market.
Simone Inzaghi managed to progress last term with an inferior Lazio. Let us see if he can start strongly so he can repeat the feat this term with Inter.
