Inter Season Preview 2014/15 – Out with the old, in with the new

Date: 26th August 2014 at 9:08am
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The 2014/15 edition of Inter marks the first full season under new owner Erick Thohir after the Indonesian finalized his purchase of the club from Massimo Moratti last October.

However that won’t be the biggest adjustment for Inter this season as the club said goodbye to club legends Javier Zanetti, Diego Milito, Esteban Cambiasso and Walter Samuel as they look to build a new cycle without the Treble winners.

With most of the Argentines (aside from Cambiasso) largely featuring on an interim basis last campaign, their loss will be more heavily felt in the dressing room as the Nerazzurri look to a new generation to lead them back to the elite of Italian football.

New captain Andrea Ranocchia, who only established himself as a starter midway through last season, is poised to lead the Nerazzurri on their journey to recapture Champions League football after returning to the Europa League thanks to last seasons fifth place finish.

Transfers 

Inter added some much needed depth this summer, signing several players who will lighten the load for Mazzarri’s preferred players from last season.

Topping the list of new faces is former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic, who joins the club as a replacement for Samuel and whom the Nerazzurri defence is expected to be built around.

Couple that with midfield hardmen Yann M’Vila and Gary Medel, signed from Rubin Kazan and Cardiff City respectively, and it is clear the Nerazzurri have looked to infuse the side with aggression and grit. Add in the combustible Pablo Osvaldo, who joins on loan from Southampton, and the fireworks will likely not be lacking this season at the Pinetina.

Another new signing who is likely to feature regularly is Dodo, the wingback signed from rivals Roma, with his presence having already been felt after scoring in the first leg 3-0 victory over Stajrnan in the Europe League play-off.

Others who have returned to the club are Matias Silvestre after his loan at AC Milan and Rene Krhin who was signed from Bologna.

Exits include the aforementioned Zanetti, Samuel, Cambiasso and Milito, while Ishak Belfodil was sold back to Parma and Saphir Taider has joined Southampton on loan.

Rolando has also returned to Porto, though the Nerazzurri are looking to land the Portuguese defender before the close of the transfer market.

Walter Mazzarri InterThe coach – Walter Mazzarri

Walter Mazzarri heads into his second season with the Nerazzurri with heightened expectations after bringing the club back to Europe via a fifth place finish last season.

After being confirmed by president Erick Thohir earlier this summer, the Beneamata will be looking for the Livorno born tactician to better last season’s results in order to satisfy the always demanding tifosi.

Despite assertions that the Nerazzurri could field a 4-3-3 this season, Mazzarri has stuck to his tried-and-tested 3-5-2 throughout preseason.

Expect that formation to be fielded regularly unless Inter are able to land one of Jonathan Biabiany, Ezequiel Lavezzi or Alessio Cerci in the final days of the transfer window.

With Thohir keen to see Inter’s youngsters play and develop (most notably Mateo Kovacic and Mauro Icardi), much of Mazzarri’s success will be based on how the talented duo fare this campaign.

Should they fail to solidify their status as two of the brightest stars in Italian football, then expect Mazzarri to be on the hunt for an eighth coaching position come seasons end.

Season Expectations

Inter will start the season as outside Scudetto challengers, though Mazzarri has already moved to temper those notions.

With most of the clubs that finished close to the Nerazzurri having maintained the status quo (or even sold players on), the Beneamata will be hoping that their relative stability over the summer pays dividends.

With the squad being two deep in every position, the added bodies will allow Inter to make a charge on more than one front without feeling the after effects.

Thus regression will not be tolerated by fans as the possibility of winning a trophy at seasons end becomes more and more realistic with every low-cost signing that sporting director Piero Ausilio makes.

Prediction

With several new faces having been brought in, there is an overwhelming sense of optimism hovering around the Pinetina. With added depth in attack and a revamped midfield, the Nerazzurri have an outside chance of making a Scudetto challenge.

However with Juventus and Roma largely viewed as the favourites to claim the top prize this campaign, a third place finish and a return to the Champions League would be a successful campaign for Thohir and his new Inter.

Where will they finish? 3rd

Follow Adriano Boin on Twitter: @Boin44

 

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