Italian journalist Paolo Condo feels that the disparity between Inter’s stuttering form in the league and their heroics in European competition has become a “paradox.”
Writing in his column in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper La Repubblica, via FCInterNews, the journalist highlighted how the Nerazzurri sometimes look like a different team between Serie A and the Champions League.
Inter’s form in the league has seen them fall out of title contention and fail to lock up a top four place up to this point in the season.
In the Champions League, on the other hand, the Nerazzurri managed to reach the round of sixteen out of a tough group containing Barcelona and Bayern Munich, whilst they have qualification for the quarterfinals of the competition in their hands in tomorrow’s match away to Porto.
“Among the big disappointments this season are obviously Inter, who will be faced tomorrow with the paradox of a Champions League quarter-final within their reach without ever having been in the running for the title in Italy,” Condo notes of the Nerazzurri’s situation.
“There are now essentially four teams fighting for three places, and the two Milan teams will in particular feel that Champions League qualification is the bare minimum.”
“Against Spezia, Inter dominated through a kind of inertia, but they looked light on substance in front of goal where a bit of a cutting edge would have been needed, and they ended up losing,” Condo continues describing the Nerazzurri’s shock loss in Liguria.
“It’s an opportunity for Milan, who face Salernitana with the aim of returning to second place.”
“They’ve already succeeded [in reaching the last eight in the Champions League], whilst Inter’s quest will be broadcast tomorrow,” Condo notes.
“Maybe in Porto the situation will be perfect for them, their paradox being that of a team who are constantly on trial domestically (and with good reason), but capable of reaching the latter stages of the Champions League,” he adds.
