In the new 2015 Serie A year, Inter find themselves in the wrong half of the table. Forza Italian Football brings you a review of all that has happened in Inter’s disappointing 2014 year.
11th place. Five wins from 16 matches. 25 goals for 0.23 goals against. For a side who were tipped by some as outside Scudetto contenders, the first half of the season has been calamitous, coming to a head on November 14 when Walter Mazzarri was sacked as coach.
While the Nerazzurri made it through as Group F winners of the Europa League group stage, more is expected from the historic giants who have fallen into a deep slumber since claiming the Treble in 2010.
With Roberto Mancini back at the helm, but the results still absent (one win in five Serie A matches), things are anything but merry at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Transfer Hit & Flop
Pablo Osvaldo has filled a massive void in the Inter frontline with Rodrigo Palacio failing to live up to his form of yesteryears.
Signed on loan from Southampton with the option to buy for €7 million, the 28-year-old leads the club in assists while scoring five goals in all competitions.
While his record of indiscipline in the past has caused him problems in the past, his great season so far (capped with a recall to the Italian national team) has made him one of the better signings at the Giuseppe Meazza in some time.
Nemanja Vidic was brought in to provide guidance and leadership to a shaky back line that was looking to move on from the departure of Walter Samuel.
While Vidic looked like the perfect fit, his time with Inter has been disastrous with some reports even suggesting that he is set for a return to Manchester United in January.
Whether it be the unfamiliarity with a back-three while under Walter Mazzarri, or the mysterious injury ailments that have kept him out from the starting lineup with Roberto Mancini, the 33-year-old has failed to hit the heights the made him one of the preseason’s top signings.
Coach
Back from the past, Mancini returns at the helm of the side where he famously made his name at from 2004 to 2008.
However things are much different this time as Il Mancio has returned at a time of great uncertainty, with the club being hampered by FFP [Financial Fair Play] while his side lack the quality needed to play his favoured 4-3-3 formation.
While the Iesi native continues to harbour hope of a third place finish, and he should given the club only sit six points behind Lazio, it remains to be seen whether the former Manchester City manager has the magic touch to reignite Inter’s disappointing campaign.
Best Goal — Mateo Kovacic v Lazio
No doubt on this one as the young starlet showed why he is referred to as one of the best young talents in world football.
Technique, power and precision were all on display as the 20-year-old unleashed a stinging volley on the helpless Federico Marchetti to bring the Nerazzurri back to life, in a 2–2 draw against Lazio.
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