ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Inter Milan

Posted by Gianni Serra on 05/23/2011

Inter's 12th home win in a row allows Leonardo and the Nerazzurri to finish the season with another record and an honorable second place, six points behind new Italian champions AC Milan and six points ahead of third placed Napoli; best attack (69 goals, 4 more than AC Milan and Udinese) and best home record (15 wins).

Statistics may always be right but they are often misleading. Simply, they have no memory. Every game has three points at stake, true, but there are matches which count for more. A winning mentality is fed by winning key games and the true figures that don't lie are that Inter lost their most important games against Udinese, Juventus and AC Milan. The ability to raise the level of your game against the top opponent is the first sign of a winner. There is no question that, for whatever reason, Inter disappointed the fans badly in those very crucial moments.

To restore the killer instinct of old must be a priority. Leonardo said 'you don't wait for the final day of the season to plan the transfer market'. General consensus is that Inter do not need a revolution but only few tweaks - a proper summer holiday can restore some players’ sharpness and reputation and will help to reduce the amount of injuries.

The current Inter can't challenge the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United. To compete again at that level - and to win - Inter need to 1) sign at least four possible starters [two in midfield]; 2) give more playing time to youngsters like Obi, Coutinho and Mariga in the initial stages to let them grow during a time when you can afford to take; 3) keep Leonardo in charge and to back his work 100% - keeping the Brazilian only because you couldn't afford to pay the buyout clause of Guardiola or Mourinho it's not going to do any good.

Next Saturday at Wembley Manchester United and Barcelona will play to replace Inter as European champions; 24 hours later the Nerazzurri will face Palermo in Rome for the Coppa Italia final. In the gulf of prestige between the two competitions probably lies the best assessment of Inter ‘s season - not a total failure but quite disappointing.

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Comments

Posted by connor on 05/24/2011

Agreed. I was extremely depressed losing to those clubs when we surely could have beaten them. Those extra points would have kept the Scudetto in our hands. But it's a lesson learned. We will come back and win the next two Scudettos, get us that second star that Juve take so much pride in.
It was hard to find positives at times but the revival under Leo has got to be one. I have to give a considerable amount of praise for the Brazillian, as he brought the team back from rock bottom (when you're at the bottom, the only direction you can go is up).
Need to spend money this summer. Enough saving and saving, saying the current squad is good enough. Clearly not. AC are spending like mad, and look what it got them. We have to show them that the red and black does not suit the city of Milan, but rather the black and blue.
Forza Nerazurri!

Posted by Sam on 05/24/2011

It is a pretty important time for Inter. They need to make sure they dont make the same mistakes that Milan did for a few years and let an aging team stagnate. As I said in an earlier comment, the team has to look at the tactics it will employ and choose players who will fit into those tactics whilst also releasing players who will not.
As for the season I like to put it into two parts. First under Benetiz we were lacklustre, slow and unmotivated, falling some 16 points off the lead at one stage (admitedly with two games in hand). Under Leo we had a revival but as Gianni said we lost too many key games. That should not take away from the facts however that Inter scored more points than Milan under Leo, made one round further in the CL than Milan under Leo and made the Coppa final which Milan didnt. Not bad in my book.
On another note. Just read Aguero is demanding a transfer. Would he fit at Inter? I think Moratti is a fan.

Posted by Indra Santosa on 05/24/2011

I agree that Inter's season had been reasonable, but should have been anticipated after such a lofty 2009-10 season. Inter could, perhaps, have asked for a loan of Fernando Gago and/or Sergio Canalles from Real Madrid during the latter scoop for Mourinho. I agree with the opinion that Inter need at least 2 starting midfield players for next season - Keisuke Honda is, I think a reasonable price target together with Yuki Abe - so don't let Manchester City get them MOVE fast! We missed out - again - on Nuri Sahin, Ganso, Lucas, etc. Niko Kranjcar in another possibility. Perhaps even Denilson from Arsenal is a good acquisition at this stage?

Posted by Pietro on 05/25/2011

I agree Gianni, 4 new players are enough. Indra, you should suggest those Asian players to Moratti, I dont' think he ever heard any of them. Too cheap for him :-) My ideal XI would be Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti (Nagatomo); De Jong, Modric; Tevez, Sneijder, Hazard; Eto'o.

Posted by connor on 05/25/2011

my ideal starting 11 would be (4-1-3-2) J. Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Ronocchia, Santon (Zanetti), Cambiasso, Hazard, Sneijder, Ganso, Eto'o, Hazard. Cambiasso can contain the middle of the park as long as SOMEONE helps him out when he needs it, whether it be Maicon and Santon (love the kid, I really hope he doesn't leave) step up or someone steps down a bit.
Another possibility is instead of Ganso, Bale and deploy him on the left wing. Get him to send crosses in all day long. But that's such a long shot, there's no way Harry would sell him OR Bale would go to a Italian team.
I'd really like to see Hazard come, and possibly Ganso. Aguero would be nice, but looks unlikely. Tevez I don't think would be a good fit for us. I'd like to see a new defender come in, maybe a CB/RB to take over for Maicon when he gets too old. But not right now. I think for now, Pazzini and Eto'o do a good job together, why break them apart?

Posted by Bellal on 05/26/2011

My ideal formation for next season

4-1-2-1-2

GK: Julio Cesar
CB: Ranocchia/Samuel
CB: Lucio/Hummmels
RB: Zanetti/Nagatomo
LB: Fabio Centrao/Santon (one can wish)
CM/DMF: Cambiasso/Ganso/Montolivo
RMF: Sanchez/Coutinho
LMF: Hazard/Obi
AMF: Honda/Sneijder
ST: Milito/Pazzini
ST: Eto'o/Rossi

Posted by Pietro on 05/26/2011

Sorry Sam, Aguero wants to join Real Madrid! Not very loyal to Colchoneros... let him go...

Posted by demetrio on 05/26/2011

Remember, Santon is most comfortable at right back. I'd like the back line to be Santon, Lucio, Ranocchia, Nagatomo.

Hazard and Ganso are brilliant but we would need some experienced players to come in. Hazard should stay with Lille for some more experience. Ganso? Where would Leo play him? Not exactly certain he can coexist with Sneijder.

I believe however that Montolivo and/or Poli will be bought. Adding quality Italians to the midfield.

Posted by Latesha on 12/17/2011

I could read a book about this without finding such real-world appraocehs!

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