When Parma substitute and Inter loanee Federico Dimarco struck a stunning 79th-minute winner against the Nerazzurri on Saturday, there was an air of expectancy within the reaction from the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza crowd.
Maybe the fact that Il Biscione had already sold their soul to promote their new away strip rather than wear their famous colours had given supporters the feeling that it would not be their day but is more likely that they feared another season of disappointment because they have been in this very situation a few too many times before.
After scraping into the Champions League with virtually the last kick of the last Serie A campaign, transfer dealings over the summer had raised hopes of a Scudetto challenge. Yet, Inter have just four points from four games and, already, are eight points off the leaders Juventus.
Their start to the season has highlighted that, despite some stellar names arriving at the San Siro, they have done little to rectify failings that were clear for all to see under coach Luciano Spalletti.
Last term Inter were heavily reliant on the goalscoring prowess of captain Mauro Icardi and with the Argentine absent or struggling to find fitness when he has appeared so far, they have no cutting edge.
Against the Gialloblu there was no question that the Nerazzurri dominated proceedings, but, despite claims from Keita Balde that he can fill the South American’s goalscoring boots, Spalletti didn’t see enough in the first 45 minutes to continue with the Senegalese in the second half.
For a veteran coach who once deployed an innovative 4-6-0 at Roma to maximise a Giallorossi squad lacking striking options and the talent of Francesco Totti, Spalletti seems wedded to a formation that rarely works without Icardi as the spearhead.
The selection of Antonio Candreva in place of Matteo Politano was baffling. Even with Icardi in the side, the advantage gained from a constant supply of balls into the box by the Italian international has been diminishing for some time.
Then you have the physicality and determination of Radja Nainggolan, shoehorned into a role where craft was needed to utilise the speedy Keita. After stealing the Belgian away from rivals Roma, it appears that is the role Spalletti has earmarked for him.
On Tuesday night, fans will head to the Stadio Meazza arguably as unconvinced of an Inter victory against Tottenham – a side equally dependent on striker Harry Kane – but with Sampdoria, Cagliari and SPAL to face before the Derby della Madonnina in October, performances have to improve soon.
Otherwise, Spalletti will be facing some uncomfortable questions from the Nerazzurri decision makers, that is if they give him chance to respond at all.
