Internazionale continued to stake their claim for fourth place in the Serie A table by defeating Torino 1-0 in a dour affair at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in round 27.
A solitary goal from Rodrigo Palacio in the 30th minute gave Inter the lead and allowed the home side to emerge the victors following a game which they had dominated from start to finish.
Thanks to Fiorentina dropping yet more points, this time losing 1-0 to the league’s top side Juventus, the Nerazzurri currently sit only one behind their rivals who occupy fourth place and Walter Mazzarri now has the opportunity to end the season on a high.
Only a few weeks ago it would have been unthinkable for Inter to harbour ambitions of catching the Viola in fourth spot as they were still on a strong run of form and there appeared little hope of Inter stringing enough points together to catch them. However, fast forward to round 27’s results and the gap couldn’t be narrower, only a single point and both teams have endured a transition in form.
Inter’s 1-0 win over Torino extended their unbeaten run of games to five since the Derby D’Italia defeat to Juventus, which has included victories over Sassuolo, Fiorentina, Torino, in addition to draws against Cagliari and Roma. Such form demonstrates the side’s determination to finish the campaign on a high and fight until the end for automatic qualification for Europe next season, albeit for the consolation prize of the Europa League.
Fiorentina meanwhile have featured on five occasions in Serie A during that time, only managing one win against Atalanta and a draw with Parma; but they have suffered defeats at the hands of Inter, Lazio and Juventus. Vincenzo Montella has also had to juggle Coppa Italia and European fixtures too, as La Viola progressed to the last sixteen of the Europa League, where they will meet their bitter rivals Juventus once more and the final of the Coppa Italia where Napoli await them.
Montella’s side has been depleted by injuries and suspensions to key players in recent weeks and months and they are keenly feeling the loss of Giuseppe Rossi upfront. This is having a significant impact upon their chances of holding onto fourth spot and in turn boosting Inter’s.
But what does Mazzarri and the club need to do continue Inter’s challenge for a top four finish and plan for next season?
Well first of all the swift integration of Hernanes into the starting eleven has been a delight to watch since the Brazilian playmaker’s arrival in the January mercato. He has adapted to his role, like a duck takes to water and it as if he was made for this side. Hernanes recently stated to Corriere dello Sport how content he was at the club, “The Inter shirt is a powerful one. This is a serious and important club.
“In terms of quality, I think we’re nearly on par with Juventus. In my life, I’ve always believed that you can do a lot despite having little – but here we have a lot, so I’m sure we can win.”
These are the words of a man who knows he can help lead the team back to its former glories, but also recognises it will take time and effort to do so. If Mazzarri can harness Hernanes’ energy and talent in the correct system, then perhaps he can become the talisman the Beneamata require to make a push for Champions League qualification next season.
If Mazzarri has solved how to fit Hernanes into his system, he must meet with his directors to decide what the future holds for some of Inter’s ageing stars. Prior to this season beginning it was suggested that many of the club’s treble winning heroes would be departing Inter, including Diego Milito, Walter Samuel, Cristian Chivu, Esteban Cambiasso and even possibly Javier Zanetti amongst others.
Such an upheaval is likely to cause ructions amongst the fan base and within the club itself as all of these players have given their all for the shirt throughout their time with the Nerazzurri and were able to take part of a historic period in the club’s history. However, time has caught up with Inter and due to spiralling debts and health and fitness issues, club president Erick Thohir may be forced into a position where he has to relinquish some of Inter’s former stars.
Perhaps Zanetti and Cambiasso stay with Inter in a coaching capacity and assist Mazzarri’s backroom staff and learn under his guidance. Or maybe if Thohir is wise he will look to utilise these players in directorial or ambassadorial roles, where they can look after the club’s best interests.
It is likely that Samuel, Chivu and Milito will return to their home nations and their first clubs. Milito has unfinished business with Racing Club in Argentina and it would be fitting to see Il Principe finish his career in his homeland with one last hoorah. Inter fans would wish them all they very best.
As Mazzarri and the side look to push Fiorentina to the very limit over the remaining 11 games of the season, it is clear that the Nerazzurri are optimistic about the future and what it holds for their stars. But the planning must start now, if it hasn’t started already.
Follow Ryan Ross on Twitter: @rross11
