After a disastrous start to the season with two coaches since the summer, Inter are now looking good for a future fight for the Scudetto
With twelve goals in two games to brush away the bruises from the bad home defeat against Roma, Inter replied in the best possible way to the damaging defeat by hammering Cagliari (1-5) and more importantly Atalanta (7-1) to send a message for the future: at least one team in the city of Milan will be challenging for the title very soon.
The Nerazzurri have found the key to success with two men from Rosario. Ever Banega and Mauro Icardi are both originally from the Argentinian town, and they both scored hat-tricks to blow Atalanta away in a crucial direct clash for Champions League football.
Icardi is one of the most lethal strikers in Serie A, with 20 goals already to his name, and has become a great assist man and charismatic leader too. The extra weapon for the Nerazzurri. Icardi staying with the Serie A side in the summer after Napoli tried to sign him was probably Inter’s main move in the transfer window.
Coach Stefano Pioli – who was under fire after the defeat to Roma – has brought in organization and built a team around the number nine. With Roberto Gagliardini and Geoffrey Kondogbia guaranteeing protection in front of the back four, Antonio Candreva and Ivan Perisic can raid the flanks as Banega lights up the opposition in the number ten position.
Eleven players who play as a team and were able to stun one of the best sides this season, as Atalanta simply crashed at the San Siro. The same Atalanta who beat Inter four months ago. But that team was Frank De Boer’s, this one is Pioli’s and has grown into becoming a self confident team, with one last step to be made: winning against the big teams. There is time though; it could happen next season.
With the Suning ownership group ready to add power to this squad and investment coming in, the future of Inter seems brighter and brighter. A solid base to build on and rising excitement.
There were 60,000 fans in the house in the home defeat against Roma, and another 60,000 against Atalanta. The locals are loving life with Inter and that’s always a good sign. Just look at how good Juventus have been at home since their new Stadium was opened in 2012.
Juventus are the model and the team to beat in every aspect, both at club level and on the pitch, and Inter are trying to rival the Bianconeri. The future is bright, and time is on Inter’s side. The hierarchy in Serie A could start to look very different next year, with Milan once again becoming one of the capitals of Calcio.
