Legendary former Inter defender Beppe Bergomi believes that the problems that the Nerazzurri have been having in their recent form have related to their mentality.

Speaking to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, the Nerazzurri icon gave his thoughts on the team’s recent slump and suggested that they are struggling mentally as much as anything.

Inter have now won just two matches from their last eight in Serie A, a worrying trend which has seen the team relinquish a solid lead at the top of the table and find themselves chasing city rivals AC Milan.

Just as worrying as the points dropped, however, is the sense that the team could have difficulty getting back to the level that saw them dominating during November and December.

The performances have not looked quite as assured as they had throughout that strong period, and Bergomi attributes this to the players’ struggles with finding the right mentality.

“At the beginning of 2022 I blamed their schedule,” he said, “with the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa wedged between facing all their strongest rivals in the league.”

“Now, however, I think the problem is in their heads,” he continued. “It’s not an easy concept to explain, but today Juve gives you the feeling that even if they put themselves on the back foot, they’ll win the match.”

“By contrast, Inter can create a lot, but the ball doesn’t go in,” he explained. “There’s a negative energy.”

He continued that “Inter overperformed in the final months of 2021, they went beyond expectations. In the summer it was said that without Conte, Eriksen, Hakimi and Lukaku the goal would be fourth place.”

“Then they played so well, gaining a relative advantage in points, that it was thought that this form would carry through to the end,” he went on.

As for what the team must do to get past this slump, Bergomi said that “Inter are in last place for attempted dribbles. They only ever seem to pass, from the buildup to the final third.”

“Dzeko and Lautaro don’t beat their man, Perisic is strong, Dumfries as well, Barella too. The only player who’s is Correa,” he explained.

Of the difficulty in backing up Marcelo Brozovic, he said that “A deputy for Brozovic doesn’t exist. I hear that Sensi is who’s needed. But in the national team he played deep in a different midfield.”

“I feel that the Inter cannot invest €20-30 million on a high-level deputy who would then risk playing only 2-3 games per season,” he continued.