Currently top of the table, with the joint highest amount of clean sheets in the top five European leagues, Inter fans will be content with how the first half of the season has panned out for the Nerazzurri.
With Roberto Mancini back at the helm of the Milanese club, it seems that they have become a much more disciplined and organised outfit. With an almost unrecognisable back-line from last year, Inter have gone from 8th to top although some labelling the side as boring. Eight 1-0 wins in 17 games show that despite having an impenetrable defence at times, Il Biscione are finding it somewhat a bit more difficult to score.
Discipline has been Inter’s problem, though, six red cards in just 17 Serie A games means that it takes Inter less than three games to get a red card. New signing Felipe Melo has racked up 2 of these red cards in 12 appearances, as well as picking up 5 yellow cards.
Highlight so far
The highlight for Inter this season has definitely been the consistency of their defence. New signings Jeison Murillo and Miranda have formed a strong partnership and seem to be the only players on the field, as well as Samir Handanovic, to have installed themselves as mainstays in the team.
The aforementioned Handanovic has been in the form of his life also, playing a massive part in racking up as many clean sheets as they have.
The number of players Inter now have at their disposal allows Mancini to tinker with the team as much as he wants to, but some say that he makes too many changes to his team, with Mauro Icardi and Stevan Jovetic not being given as many chances to form a partnership as may be expected.
Biggest Disappointment
This has to go to the worst performance of the season, that could have ruined Inter’s confidence but they picked themselves up and carried on going.
Looking back on the 4-1 defeat by Fiorentina though, it really was a disgraceful performance. The two teams were fighting for top spot, with Inter having a 100 per cent record in Serie A. The fans were expecting a tough match but not what the Viola had in store for them. Some woeful defending consequently led to the away side being 3-0 up inside 25 minutes and to add insult to injury Miranda was sent off moments later.
It seems that this season, despite Inter being very consistent, they will be the masters of their own downfall if they are not competing for the title by the end of the season.
In the game against Napoli, Yuto Nagatomo saw red in the first half making it very difficult for his team-mates and in the most recent game in what was a 2-1 home defeat to Lazio, Felipe Melo made a mindless decision near the end of the game which ultimately cost Inter the point.
Discipline is very important and Inter really need to address this heading into the second half of the season.
Transfer Hit
The Nerazzurri have brought in so many new faces for this season and although it was the attacking players causing the most excitement amongst Inter fans, it has to be Jeison Murillo who has been the best acquisition.
The Colombian won young player of the tournament at the Copa America and for roughly €7 million, seems to be a bargain. The defender is pacey, strong and has great positional sense as well as forming an understanding with his defensive partner Miranda. There have also been reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, too.
A mention also has to be given to Adem Ljajic who has been an integral part of the team in recent weeks. Struggling to get a place in the team at the beginning of the season, he has taken his chance well and is one of the main players for Il Biscione in the attacking positions.
Transfer Flop
For me, this has to go to Geoffrey Kondogbia. Bought from Monaco for a massive €35 million euros, the Frenchman has failed to impress the Inter fans. So much expectation was placed on his shoulders and maybe that has contributed, but it seems it will take the 22-year-old a long time to adapt to Italian football. Starting literally every week at the start of the season, it now looks like he has lost his place in the starting eleven.
Felipe Melo has also had a tough time upon his return to Italy. Disciplinary problems are still a problem for the Brazilian hot-head and he needs to calm down if he wants to help Inter win the league. If he doesn’t do that it might be time to move him on.
What Next?
Inter still have a long way to go to claiming the Scudetto for the 20th time. Only a point ahead of Napoli and Fiorentina, Inter need to get on top of disciplinary problems.
They certainly have the talent amongst their ranks to fight for and even win the title, but they need to sort out problems from the inside first before they can go on to claim success.
