Inter’s punishing schedule continued into the second week of February as they went in search of redemption after their derby defeat.
A healthy win in the Coppa Italia over Roma was an encouraging response before they made the trip to Naples.
A cagey and traumatic affair saw Inter drag themselves to a point after going behind early doors.
Here’s what we learned from a tired and flogged Inter.
1) Lautaro’s Goal Droughts Halting His Progress
If Lautaro Martinez is ever to become an elite striker, he must become a more consistent goal scorer.
Sure, he adds enough goals and there’s a strong argument for whether or not he’s categorised as a second striker but even so, a striker who starts for a top side in his country shouldn’t be having these droughts.
His current drought in league action is at eight games. This is something that he must look at especially with Lukaku’s departure, Dzeko’s waning legs, Sanchez’s inconsistency and Correa being constantly injured.
2) Felipe Caicedo Finally In The Mix
It should be very interesting to see what new striker Felipe Caicedo can offer Inter over the next three months.
After shaking off a niggly knock to make the match day trip to Naples, Caicedo was giving just a watching brief, with Edin Dzeko playing the full match.
A player who Simone Inzaghi knows really well and a player who certainly can add clutch goals when aiming to win games that are in the balance should come very much in handy.
3) Dodgy De Vrij
It would perhaps be an understatement to argue that Stefan De Vrij is thoroughly out of form at the time of writing.
The Dutchman was again left frustrated after his error led to Napoli’s opener at the weekend leaving many Nerazzuri fans questioning his place in the team.
Serie A’s best defender prior to this campaign seems to have regressed this term as he has hit his 30th year which has seen Inter linked with Bremer as a replacement.
Talk of Inter cashing in on De Vrij may well have had their effect. The truth however is simply that his form must improve as Inter hit a vital season defining period.
4): Sensi Starts Well At Samp As Inter Are Left With Holes In Squad
Given Hakan Calhanoglu’s recent blunt performances, questions are now being asked about whether Stefano Sensi should’ve been allowed to leave Inter.
With no creative playmaker available now when Calhanoglu needs replacing or seems a little out of form leaves a giant hole in Inter’s squad.
In a period where Inter will need to find different ways to win games, they are now relying on midfield reinforcements in the shape of Gagliardini, Vecino and Vidal, which hardly sets the flair charts high.
It is pleasing to see Sensi back on the field playing football but should it be in an Inter shirt?
5) Playing Liverpool At The Worst Time Possible?
Sure some of Liverpool’s key men may be a tad jaded after their AFCON exploits, but surely this is the worst time to play them?
Inter are currently in the midst of their first and only stumble of the season just in time for facing their toughest on pitch test.
With the absences of Nicolo Barella and Alessandro Bastoni also a factor, Inter will have to be at their absolute best to challenge the 2019 winners of this competition.
We haven’t seen Inter at their best since the turn of the year and given their recent gruesome run of games, it is going to be a giant ask of them to be able to thwart Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The second half against Napoli showed some encouragement that there is fight in the side which is going to have to be in abundance at San Siro on Wednesday night.