Inter Club Focus: Back to reality, or just a blip?

Date: 30th September 2015 at 8:00pm
Written by:

Inter crashed back to reality on Sunday evening by being knocked off the Serie A table by their opponents Fiorentina, who thrashed them 4-1.

inter fiorentina fredy guarin

It was a disastrous match for the Nerazzurri who were 3-0 down within 25 minutes and were reduced to ten men not long after. Mauro Icardi grabbed a consolation but it wasn’t enough before the Viola added another.

It’s a stark contrast to the beginning of the season that the Milanese club have had, which they added to last week when they beat Hellas Verona in the midweek game thanks to a bullet header from Felipe Melo.

But it was the defence that we have recently praised so highly that let Inter down at the weekend. The usually reliable Gary Medel and the experienced Miranda being mostly responsible, although it should be noted that is hard to criticise the Chilean for the sheer effort he puts in for his team.

Goalkeeper Samir Handanovic also had a shocker, giving away a penalty and making a meal of a Josip Ilicic long shot which led to the second goal.

inter fiorentina josip ilicic handanovic

Despite the Nerazzurri’s bad performance, nothing can be taken away from a slick Fiorentina side who undoubtedly deserved all three points, dominating from the outset.

But the question is, is this the real Inter that we saw at the weekend? Or is just a minor blip for an in form side that will actually be up there at the end of the season?

It’s hard to say, but most Inter fans will side with the first question based on recent seasons. Who can forget when Andrea Stramaccioni took charge back in 2012-13 and won nine of the first 11 games, including a 3-1 win at Juventus to end their incredible home record, but then finished the season in ninth.

Il Biscione will be hoping for a better outcome this season especially with a manager that has an impressive record with the club, but so far it is hard to tell whether they are the real deal.

Winning all of the first five games is an imposing feat for any side, but it has to be said that Inter did do it without playing penetrative, fast-paced football and rather stumbled to a narrow victory.

The defence has been playing admirably but without Jeison Murillo at the back, they do look a bit vulnerable and were caught out by a stylish looking Viola side.

Only time will tell whether the Nerazzurri will be up at the top come the business end of the season, but the supporters must treat it as a blip and not get on the players’ backs – 15 points from 18 is still a very good return.

And, with Sampdoria away to come at the weekend, followed by a home game against Juventus, this Inter team will really be tested and maybe we’ll no more of whether they can realistically challenge for the title.

 

Comments are closed.