Inter have been forced to cope without Marcelo Brozovic in three different matches, and in all three his importance to the team has been underlined by their struggles in his absence.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who note that the Nerazzurri’s performances against Empoli in the Coppa Italia, and Sassuolo and Torino in the league have been among their worst of the season.
Brozovic has started virtually every game for Inter in Serie A and the Champions League, but in their Coppa Italia round of sixteen clash with Empoli he had to miss out due to a suspension from last campaign.
The Nerazzurri went 1-0 up in the first half despite not playing at their best with a rotated lineup, but in the second half they fell behind 2-1.
Eventually a dramatic late equalizer and then a stoppage time winner saw the Nerazzurri through to the next round, but the lack of their normal holding midfielder clearly affected the fluidity of the team’s performance.
Having already looked disjointed against a high-pressing Empoli side, things got even worse for Inter when Brozovic served a one-match suspension against Sassuolo in Serie A.
The Nerazzurri lost that match, with the first half in particular having seen them overrun by the Neroverdi, and clearly missing out on the influence of Brozovic.
The 29-year-old was also out of yesterday evening’s 1-1 draw away to Torino, this time due to a muscle injury, and once again, the team were punished by an organized, high-pressing opponent.
Brozovic’s importance to Inter has never been a secret, but the way that the team has failed to cope without him could suggest that they are even more dependent on him than many realize.
