Former Inter defender Daniele Adani feels that at the moment the Nerazzurri’s biggest problem is a lack of focus in the matches that are more winnable on paper.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Radio Deejay, via FCInterNews, Adani argued that at the moment the Nerazzurri can seemingly only show commitment and stay switched-on in the most important matches before flattering to deceive in the ones that are more taken for granted.

Inter’s recent abysmal run of form looks a bit strange considering it comes in the midst of continued good performances and results in cup competitions, not least the recent 2-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League.

Against teams like Spezia, Salernitana, and Monza the Nerazzurri have let matches get away from them, not really doing enough to push for goals as the matches have worn on even with the majority of possession..

This has been in stark contrast to the performances that the team have put in in knockout matches against not just Benfica but also Porto and Juventus.

It is hard to ignore the sense that this Inter team know how to approach the matches that are must-win and against opponents of relatively similar quality to themselves, but that they struggle to treat the “smaller” matches as must-win clashes even when that is essentially what they are.

From the perspective of former defender Adani, this is explainable in terms of the team’s attitude and mentality.

He believes that the team have simply struggled to find their focus when they have not had the motivation of playing in a particularly important match.

“Eleven losses in the league can be put down to a mentality issue,” the former defender argued, “particularly considering how many chances they produce.”

“But then two penalty areas they lack focus, particularly considering they come up against teams who virtually live to play against them.”

“Meanwhile in the Champions League the concentration is multiplied a thousandfold,” he argued.

“In Lisbon,they put in what was in my opinion their best performance of the season, but they can’t just immediately go and drop off against Monza, as had also been the case against Monza after winning the Supercoppa against Milan,” he added.

As for the second leg of the Nerazzurri’s Champions League quarterfinal tie against Benfica, Adani predicted that “I think Inter can stand firm and reach the semifinals.”