Inter Milan achieved two fantastic back to back wins to get their top four hopes well and truly back on track this week.
A comeback win against fellow Champions League hopefuls Lazio was followed up by a 6-0 thumping of Hellas Verona on Wednesday evening, showing that Inter are very much in a positive moment.
Here’s what we picked out of a real statement week from Simone Inzaghi’s side.
1) Race Serie A Top Four In Inter’s Hands
After what has been a very poor league campaign for Inter by large this term, they seem to finally be hitting their stride at the right time.
Three wins on the bounce in the league and a few results going the way of the Nerazzuri has seen Inter claw their way into the top four ahead of the likes of Roma and Milan.
The way Inter played against a direct rival in Lazio was very encouraging, especially given that they went behind. It would also seem that the confidence gained from that win was flexed in the thumping of Verona.
A great time to finally start to show some real tenacity in their performances.
2) Hakan Calhanoglu Showing His Class
Hakan Calhanoglu is an outstanding technical player and to gain his services on a free transfer like Inter did was an outstanding piece of business.
Perhaps the only criticism that can be labelled at the Turkish international is the fact that cannot consistently keep up a run of top level performances.
His goal in Verona on Wednesday night was him at his best and demonstrated some real skill that you’d associate with the top players in his position across the world of football.
Inter are going to need this level of quality on a consistent basis from him as they aim to reach their goals with a tough fixture list in front of them also.
3) Lautaro On The Charge Again
Lautaro Martinez is hitting that spell once again where he inexplicably goes on a goal tear following a dry spell.
With six goals now in his last five matches in all competitions, the World Cup winner is hitting the straps just when his club need him the most.
The sheer hunger that he displayed to snatch his second goal late on in what was an essentially finished game against Verona on Wednesday proved his desire to reach his goals and in doing so, Martinez now finds himself closing in on Victor Osimhen in the race for the Capocannoniere.
Whilst he may have his critics, Lautaro’s recent form is a real reminder of how he has come on as a player since he has been thrust into the responsibility of being Inter’s marksmen when first Mauro Icardi went AWOL and then again covering the gap left by Romelu Lukaku’s move to Chelsea.
He loves the club and he will become a true legend if he can keep scoring goals at this current rate over the next half a dozen matches.
4) Nice To See Danilo D’Ambrosio Getting A Run
It was great to see Danilo D’Ambrosio trusted in both matches this week.
The ex-Torino man is someone who has never let Inter down and his importance to the squad has been demonstrated greatly over the past couple of years as he has stepped in countless times and produced solid performances and even the odd clutch goal or clearance.
Seeing him with the captain’s armband also shows great reward for both his service and loyalty.
Whilst he may be out of contract this summer and yet to agree an extension, this last week has been a reminder that Danilo can still operate effectively for Inter at this level.
5) Clutch Time Starts Now
The win over Lazio gave Inter a way back into the top four picture and the comprehensive win over struggling Verona leaves Simone Inzaghi’s men confident and ready for the next few weeks which will not only define the season, but perhaps the recent history of the club and the coaches legacy.
With Champions League semi final legs, Coppa Italia finals and also crunch matches against Roma, Napoli and Atalanta in the race for a place in the top four spaces coming up over the next few weeks, it is now or never for Inter.
Whilst the horror run of form and questions over Simone Inzaghi’s future seem to have subsided over the past couple of weeks after some positive results, the season will count for nothing if Inter don’t give the next few weeks their absolute all.
Players train and play for moments like these. It is time for Inzaghi’s men to stand up and be counted. Their legacies are on the line.
Whilst serious budgetary constraints must be taken into consideration, who do you feel is most likely to take the job and who would you want?
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