A poor season for both Milan clubs was somewhat overshadowed by the abject failures of Filippo Inzaghi’s struggling AC Milan side, as Inter’s transfer window now grabs the summer headlines.
Inzaghi’s tumultuous campaign took some of the heat off Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who failed to guide his side to the kind of finish the club would have hoped for. Mancini’s men ended a disappointing eighth place finish behind Genoa and Sampdoria, and only three points ahead of their crosstown rivals.
The Nerazzurri’s problems were considerable as they found themselves 32 points behind league champions Juventus, and also fell rather dismally at the Europa League round of 16 stage to Wolfsburg.
Despite a worryingly low tempo to their play, and an inability to create chances or score the few they created (with the exception of Mauro Icardi), it was arguably Inter’s defence that haunted them the most.
A total of 48 goals conceded in Serie A quite clearly highlighted a problem area for Mancini’s team. Samir Handanovic consistently performed miracles in goal but the likes of Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus often left much to be desired with their performances. Meanwhile, Nemanja Vidic missed a large portion of the season through injury.
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The situation has called for wholesale changes at the back; and with a long way to go in the summer transfer window still, it already appears that a very different backline could be gracing the Stadio Meazza pitch come August 23.
The purchase of combative box-to-box midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Monaco will certainly help give more bite in midfield a provide a degree of protection in front of the defence; but Mancini has done some shrewd transfer business in the heart of his defence too.
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The €15 million signing of Miranda from Atletico Madrid was a marquee move and should bolster the defensive unit considerably. The 30-year-old Brazilian boasts of valuable experience with a Champions League runners-up medal and a La Liga title to his name. His pace and confidence with the ball at his feet will make him a beneficial addition.
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Ranocchia will likely retain his place in the heart of the Inter defence, since the towering centre-back was appointed captain at the start of last season.
Miranda will almost certainly partner him, but should form desert one of them or injuries take hold, then Jeison Murillo — newly signed from Granada — will provide promising cover.
The 23-year-old Colombia international impressed at the Copa America this summer, netting the winning goal in the group stage victory over Brazil and putting in a good display to shut out Argentina in the quarter-final. His team would eventually come to lose the game on penalties after he missed a spot-kick himself.
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Another defence strengthening option came in a very mutually beneficial move that saw Martin Montoya join on loan from Barcelona. The full-back is still only 24 and has made as few as 43 appearances for the Catalan powerhouse since making his debut in 2011.
The Spaniard may finally play something resembling a full season if he can force his way into Mancini’s starting line-up and prove he is more than just a reliable back-up option. His time as an understudy to Daniel Alves can only have benefitted his game and hopefully made up for his lack of playing time.
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It would seem that Erick Thohir’s money has been well spent so far this summer, and there will undoubtedly be more additions before the start of the season.
With a few more quality signings in front of what looks on paper a much more solid defence, this coming season could well signal the return of Inter to the top of Italian football.
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