Inter Club Focus: Pressure building on Mazzarri

Date: 9th April 2014 at 6:34pm
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Inter plumbed to new depths as they drew 2-2 against Bologna at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in round 32 of Serie A. It was a result which seriously calls into question Walter Mazzarri’s side’s capability to finish in the Europa League qualification places as the league approaches its final stages and Parma have reduced the gap to draw level on 50 points.

Mauro Icardi bagged a brace for the Nerazzurri and Diego Milito missed a penalty as Inter fell to goals from Jonathan Cristaldo and Panagiotis Kone in a disappointing draw.

Mazzarri opted for a largely unchanged team with Yuto Nagatomo returning at left wing-back in place of Jonathan, Andrea Ranocchia starting in place of Walter Samuel in defence and finally Esteban Cambiasso returned at the heart of central midfield to provide some much needed experience.

Icardi’s influence over the game was emphatic as the Argentine forward netted twice, first early in the sixth minute when he opened the scoring having combined with a Nagatomo cross to volley in from close range and send the Nerazzurri faithful into raptures of delight.

Icardi’s second came to put Inter 2-1 ahead in the 63rd minute when the striker found himself with space, outside on the  left edge of the area and curled a brilliant shot in off the post. It was a terrific solo goal and one Bologna had no answer to. Their defence should have perhaps done better to close Icardi down to deny him space, but it was almost impossible to prevent such a special moment.

Icardi - interAs well as Icardi’s moment of ingenuity to score Inter’s first, Mazzarri’s decision to turn to Mateo Kovacic also helped turn the tide in Inter’s favour early in the second half. The Italian coach swiftly brought on the Croatian midfielder in place of Danilo D’Ambrosio in the 53rd minute. Kovacic made a positive impression upon the game and was involved with the build up play which led to Icardi’s second goal. As I mentioned last week Inter fans have been somewhat bemused by Mazzarri’s refusal to use Kovacic more regularly and fear the player could depart the club this summer as a result. Performances such as this demonstrate why the playmaker deserves to be included in the starting 11 on a permanent basis.

Inter had the chance to rescue all three points after the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Andrea Mantovani on Rodrigo Palacio when he wrestled the Inter forward to the ground to prevent a goal scoring opportunity. Milito stood up to take the spot kick but his effort was hit straight down the middle and the Bologna ‘keeper Gianluca Curci managed to get a hand to parry it away.

Inter’s defensive abilities were also once more called into question as they conceded two poor goals and a host of chances to Bologna. In total the away side managed 12 shots on Inter’s goal, with eight on target; this should be causing alarm bells to ring for Mazzarri and his coaching staff.

Andrea Ranocchia + Cristian Chivu - InterAllowing Bologna to score two equalising goals from defensive scraps in the box is not good enough for a team of Inter’s capabilities and Mazzarri needs to begin to drill this side. His system of play has hindered the team as the season’s developed due to the opposition working out his tactics and the defence is left exposed. The coach has failed to eliminate the same tired mistakes from his players and system.

Inter’s third consecutive draw leaves them fifth in the table, tied with Parma on 50 points, worryingly Atalanta in seventh place are only a further two points behind. That the Beneamata have virtually managed to blow their chance of wrenching fourth place from the clutches of Fiorentina is frustrating enough for their fans but to possibly lose out on European football next season all together is inconceivable.

The team have only won once in their last five games and this woeful run of form could cost Mazzarri his job if results don’t pick up in the coming weeks. Unless the Italian delivers the promise of Europa League football next season then I am not sure Erick Thohir can guarantee his presence on the Inter bench at the start of the next Serie A campaign.

Follow Ryan Ross on Twitter: @rross11

 

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