It was only a few years ago that Inter boasted the most impenetrable and feared defensive line in Europe. The figurative brick wall of Maicon, Walter Samuel, Lucio and Christian Chivu was the foundation of the side that won many trophies during the Roberto Mancini/Jose Mourinho era. Today, Nemanja Vidic stands as the lone defensive beacon harking back at a possible return to those days.
That cliché ‘defense wins championships’ was a formula that Inter abided by for many successful years. Who could forget that night at the Camp Nou, when Inter so stoically repelled against the relentless attacking onslaught from Barcelona’s magicians to reach the Champions League final. That was just one example of the defensive clinic that the Nerazzurri would put on week in week out.
Sadly, the defence at this present time is a far cry to what Inter fans used to be able to enjoy. The two campaigns after the historic 2010 treble win; the Beneamata became the laughing stock of the league, conceding 55 and 57 goals in the two ensuing campaigns respectively. While Walter Mazzarri has slightly rectified that problem in his first season in charge (39), there is still much improvement to be made, and he’ll be expecting that Vidic’s presence in the rearguard will keep that progress going.
The Nerazzurri lost a wealth of experience when Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito, Walter Samuel departed the club and legend Javier Zanetti retired. While the armband has been passed to Andrea Ranocchia, Vidic will no doubt have a huge leadership role to play at the club even if he is the ‘new guy on the block’. Having captained English giants Manchester United for the best part of five years, Vidic will be expected to lead by example at the San Siro as well.
No doubt, one of the reasons for Inter signing ‘Vida’, is for him to mentor and tutor the young defenders. While by no means debutantes, the 26 year old Ranocchia and 23 year old Juan Jesus still have a lot of improvement in them. Although no one doubts their talent, the duo is still prone to lapses of concentration that put the whole team under pressure. Having Vidic there to bark instructions and ensure focus at all times should mean Inter fans see less of those brain snaps.
Now 32 years of age, Vidic plying his trade in a three man defence may prove to be a masterstroke. Expected to be the central defender sandwiched by his younger counterparts, the Serbian will have much more time to marshal and organize the structure of the team. While his sharpness may be slightly deteriorating at this phase of his career, his lack of pace will be covered by the energy of his younger colleagues.
The body-on-the-line, fearless Vidic that we saw so frequently during his time as a Red Devil may be different to the one we see at Inter. But that’s what great players do; they reinvent themselves at an age where their body doesn’t allow them to play the way they used to.
Judging by his three pre-season displays against Real Madrid, former club Manchester United and Roma, Vidic looks like he will have no problems adapting. While friendly matches aren’t the definitive barometers to how a player will fare during the season, Vidic’s performances will reassure a lot of Inter fans about what he will deliver this season. Assured in possession and defensively secure, Vidic’s presence helped keep world football’s arguably most potent attacking team in Real Madrid to just one goal, a Louis van Gaal revitalized Manchester United and the free-flowing Roma scoreless.
After all, fans shouldn’t be surprised. This is the man that Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick labeled as “simply the best out-and-out defender” they’ve ever seen. Nerazzurri fans are certainly anxious to see their new ‘Braveheart’ in the midst of a competitive battle, now that the honeymoon period is winding down.
It was only a few years ago at one of Inter’s dearest rivals, that a Bosman signing helped transform them back into a well-oiled winning machine. The Nerazzurri will be hoping that Vidic’s recruitment turns out to be more Andrea Pirlo than Diego Forlan.
You can follow Marco Credentino on Twitter at: @bigcreds
