Inter look set to head into their final nine matches without their leading goalscorer, an unfortunate reality that could spell disaster for the Nerazzurri.
Mauro Icardi has been ruled out of Saturday’s match against Roma with a knee injury after being substituted just five minutes into the Nerazzurri’s 2-1 victory over Bologna. The 23-year-old hyperextended his knee while sliding to meet an Eder cross across the face of goal. Before the half was over, it became apparent just how much Inter missed their captain. Wide players whipped in an innumerable amount of crosses that were not being met by Nerazzurri forwards in the sort of areas that Icardi flourishes in. They eventually came good on two of their 13 corners but if this is the identity Inter are building for the remainder of the season, then Icardi’s fitness becomes all the more important.
In 26 Serie A appearances this season, Icardi is only averaging 1.7 shots per game, a number less than ideal for a team challenging for top places. Despite the worrisome figure, Icardi has managed to net 12 times this season which is undoubtedly a testament to his prowess as a finisher.
To put this into perspective, Serie A’s leading goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain – who has taken the league by storm and is being hailed as arguably the world’s top marksman this season – has scored 27 goals, averaging 5.4 shots per match. That is a goal on every 5.7 efforts whereas Icardi’s ratio is significantly better at 3.7. For all the criticism the Argentine has come over this season for his lack of mobility, there is no question that Icardi is a deadly finisher.
Saturday’s match against Roma could have massive implications for the race for third place and the potential for Champions League qualification. The Giallorossi are currently five points ahead of Inter but a Nerazzurri victory will blow the race wide open once again.
A loss would all but end Inter’s dreams of Champions League glory and the significant financial injection associated with it. With Stevan Jovetic still recovering from a calf injury sustained at the beginning of the month, Eder will have to lead the front three in Icardi’s absense, a position that doesn’t suit the Italy international as well as it does the Argentine.
Roma’s attacking quartet leaves space along the wings so it is likely that Inter will again look to get balls into the box from wide positions. Again, there won’t be very much to aim at unless coach Roberto Mancini wishes to gamble with his centre-backs.
The situation is not all doom and gloom for Icardi and Inter. The knock does not appear to be as serious as originally feared and the striker has already resumed light training with his teammates. The timing of the injury is inopportune with such an important match on the horizon but regardless of the result of Saturday’s match, the Beneamata will likely be challenging for European competition in some form for the remainder of the season and having Icardi present for at least some of these matches could prove to be key.
For the immediate future however, Inter must make do without the closest thing to identity as the club currently have.
