This week spelled out another topsy turvy seven days for the Nerazzuri.
A win in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Porto was then followed up by another cursed trip to Bologna, who inflicted a seventh Serie A defeat this term on Inter.
Here’s what we’ve learned from the typical Pazza Inter.
1) Stefan De Vrij Is Completely Finished
As a top level defender at a top club, Stefan De Vrij is finished.
A once lynchpin of Luciano Spaletti’s and Antonio Conte’s Inter sides is now a player approaching the end of his career and it is really beginning to show.
A clumsy performance against Bologna saw him hooked at half time whilst on a yellow card.
Given Suning’s financial situation and the fact that Inter will be losing Milan Skriniar over the summer, it is unlikely that Inter will look to lose an experienced stalwart like De Vrij but if the club have ambition, he should be replaced with a younger model.
2) Robin Gosens Playing With A Point To Prove
Now over twelve months on from his arrival, Robin Gosens is beginning to establish himself as a Nerazzuri player.
After arriving from Atalanta with a reputation for being one of the most dynamic wing backs in Europe, big things were expected of the Germany international.
Things haven’t quite worked out quite that way however as Gosens has struggled to hold down a starting spot due to the emergence of Federico DiMarco, his inability to shake off an injury that hampered his remaining months at Atalanta whilst also being shunned by the coach a little.
Sunday’s game against Bologna gave Gosens the chance to start and despite it being a poor game from an Inter perspective, he was comfortably their best player.
Whilst it hasn’t been quite the signing fans, board and even player have hoped thus far, Gosens’ solid performance was a reminder that Inter have two excellent left sided options.
3) Brozovic Becoming A Victim Of Calhanoglu’s Success?
Marcelo Brozovic has endured a very mismatch campaign so far for Inter.
Despite a very solid cameo against Porto in midweek, the Croat looked timid and off colour on Sunday lunchtime.
Could an argument be made for the fact that Inter have begun to adapt and change this year due to spending so long without Brozovic?
The introduction of Hakan Calhanoglu, despite him offering different qualities, to Brozovic’s position has seen Inter learn to live without a player who has made them tick for a couple of years now.
Is this a sign that Inter are going to look to prove rumours correct and cash in on Broz since they know that they can adapt without him? We shall see.
4) Inter Looking To Strengthen The Defence
Rumours emanating from the Italian media this week have suggested that Inter are now starting up their recruitment strategy for the summer.
Inter’s transfer mogul Piero Ausillio is said to be looking towards Austria and his links with Salzburg as he was reportedly present at Red Bulls’ last match to scout Oumar Soulet.
With Milan Skriniar set to depart, Danilo D’Ambrosio and Stefan De Vrij out of contract as well as Francesco Acerbi only being on loan, Inter are in desperate need for a centre back.
Evan N’Dicka on a free from Frankfurt anyone?
It’s going to be an interesting summer.
5) Is Simone Inzaghi Under Pressure Now?
Yet another league defeat for Inter now sees them with their poorest loss record in Serie A since the 2018/19 season under Luciano Spaletti in which they scraped a fourth place finish.
Quite a fall from being clear title challengers going into the final game of last season?
Does this also mean now that their coach Simone Inzaghi is now under pressure?
Despite having a Scudetto winning side dismantled before he was able to take charge of them, Inzaghi has delivered European progress that neither of his immediate predecessors could and he has also won the Coppa Italia and back to back Supercoppa titles.
The question now however is what the club’s supporters and hierarchy see as being the club’s ambition for this term.
Will a top four finish satisfy and allow Inzaghi a chance to adapt Inter and have another go next year? Or has his inability to get a fine tune more regularly out of this current crop going to be his comeuppance?
The next three weeks are vital to answering these questions.
Do you agree? Or disagree? Who do you think Inter should sign to strengthen the defence?
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