Saturday, May 22nd 2010. The Santiago Bernabeu, the historic home of Real Madrid and by association European Football, is a sea of blue. Inter fans from around the globe have flocked to the Mecca of the European Cup to witness the Italian Champions face their German counterparts for the Champions League title.
The stage was set for Inter to complete a historic treble, 35 years since the Nerazzurri had last lifted “Old Big Ears” and there were some unerring similarities between Inter 2010 and the “Grande Inter” side under Helenio Herrera’s iron fist in the mid sixties.
An uncompromising back line skippered by an experienced full back, South American flair mixed with European intellect and guile, the sprits of Facchetti, Jair, Suarez and Mazzola surfaced that famous night in Madrid in the shape of Zanetti, Maicon, Milito and Sneijder.
It was great night for Inter fans, and Italian football – Calcio fans once again felt vindicated as Serie A proved it wasn’t the dead league that numerous pundits claimed it was – and as Il Principe Diego Milito cut inside the static Bayern defense and stroked the ball into the net, it seemed that nothing could go wrong for Inter.
Fast forward 15 months, and we see Inter on the cusp of a new season, with their third manager since Jose Mourinho lifted the European Cup the year before, and having lost their best striker, close to losing their best midfielder, and playing with a formation and a manager that is yet to shed some light onto the dark cloud that is currently residing in the blue half of Milan. A side that only last year were being touted as clear Scudetto favourites are now seemingly facing a difficult battle to guarantee 2nd place. A combination of poor finance and poorer decisions have put Inter in this position, and only a calm head and an equally logical transfer window will fill the gaps that seemed non existent less than 18 months ago.
So what do Inter need to do to return to form? Forza Italian Football have compiled 5 things Inter need to do to reclaim the throne they sat in for 5 years, or risk being the contender for years to come.
1. Replace Samuel Eto’o
The Cameroonian at times was the only bright light for Inter last season, providing goals and match winning performances when the likes of Maicon and Sneijder were out of form and fitness, and will be greatly missed by an Inter side having also lost Goran Pandev. It is not just Eto’o’s goals and assists that will be missing, but the Africans flexibilty and ability to perform well in a wide position that will make his absence such a hindrance to Inter. With Milito uncomfortable on the wing and most likely being rotated with Pazzini in the “Number 9” slot, Inter need a forward capable of creating scoring opportunities from a wide left position. Zarate and Forlan are both worthwhile options that will that would add a vital injection of firepower into this Inter team.
2. Sort out the Sneijder situation
The Dutchman is one of Inter’s and the world’s best playmakers, but if Sneijder’s heart isn’t in it for Inter this season, then Inter are perhaps better off without him. A vital cog in the Internazionale machine for the last two seasons, if Sneijder can put the events of the summer behind him and focus on the Nerazzurri, then he is worth his weight in gold. However, if the combination of overtues from the two Manchester clubs and a newly found fustration at remaining in Milano and fitting into a new system seeps into the Oranje man’s performances, then Inter are maybe better off selling their number 10 and finding a more suitable midfield for Gasperini’s 4 man midfield.
3. Promote the Youth
Inter have had a very successful side for the last half a decade, and consequently – the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mantra that tends to be set in concrete in the peninsula has resulted in the amount of fresh faces in the Inter side seeing regular action has dried up somewhat. Santon, Obi and new boy Lucas Castaignos are all bright prospects along with the newly purchased Ricky Alvarez will all be vital in decreasing the average age of the Inter first XI, which includes a 38 year old Javier Zanetti, and a 33 year old Walter Samuel and Lucio, no less. If Inter can introduce more youngsters into the side, into the system, when Financial Fair Play hits the big clubs like a sledgehammer, the Beneamata will have a strong foundation for the future.
4. Switch to a 4 man backline
Gian Piero Gasperini’s new offensive heavy system has its benefits – the high pressing midfield, the fluid front three feeding off the shield provided by said midfield, but one area that has cast doubts is the 3 man defense – the lack of numbers directly in front of the goalkeeper, especially numbers provided by players without too much pace beween them, could leave Inter suceptible to the throes of width and darting runs. Unless there is supreme consistency and discipline provided by Maicon and Zanetti in moments of defensive weakness, then games against sides like Roma, with Bojan and Erik Lamela as wide men, or Juventus, with Pasquato and Krasic stretching the play, Inter could be found wanting. A four man defense could not only aid Inter at the back, but ease the transition into Gasperinis revolutionary tactics for the more experienced, and sometimes less flexible players in the Blue and Black squad list.
5. Give Gasperini time
Massimo Moratti’s trigger finger is legendary, the patrons inabiltity to give his new employees time to acclimatise to their new job has resulted in many a swift exit for numerous managers. However, in this, vital period in Inters history – the most difficult of the last 5 years, it is crucial that new man Gasperini gets time. Inter are chasing Milan, the most settled, structured side in the title race, and Inter will need consistency, and a sense of rythym and even tempo to give them the right basis for a title challenge. As we learned last year, the time taken for a new manager, system and methodology is not a process that a side will wish to go through twice, especially not in the same season. Inter fans will hope Moratti shares the same outlook.
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