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Five games without scoring is a record usually worthy of a relegation spot. Despite having lost 11 games out of 25 (only Genoa and the bottom three have more losses) Inter are still in 7th place instead of a more believable 17th.
The Nerazzurri’s most recent displays were so poor that we can already be sure that Ranieri will not be at Inter's helm next season. The sack could come earlier, but certainly not later than June. The UEFA Champions League is the only competition left for a team who have no chance to win it. New chaotic days and more dark clouds ahead.
Against Napoli, Ranieri tried to stick with the same formation and schemes adopted at Marseille, with the additions of Milito and Faraoni - replacing Zarate (tactical) and Maicon (injured) in the starting XI.
The final score in France was 1-0 to Marseille, but the game was even, whereas at San Paolo it was one-way traffic: 11-0 in corners to Napoli says it all. It’s pointless to pick out an individual mistake or praise somebody more than others. More than dreadful stats or individual performances it was the feeling of defeatism emanating from the whole team that made an impression.
Even before reaching the pitch, you could smell which of the two teams was confident, the favourite, and which was the scared team. And switching from 4-3-1-2 to 3-5-2 in the second half was the confirmation of it: if the players were scared, the Inter coach was even more so.
"In the first half Napoli attacked on the flanks, it was my duty to try to stop them there. I do not have anything to complain about Sneijder and Forlan but I had to address that problem," said Ranieri.
Pazzini missed the chance to score an equaliser on 87 minutes. It should have changed the result but not the feeling that Inter are a team who at best can survive, or at worst to lose against anyone. No ambition, no bravery, no grandeur left - hanging on with quiet desperation.
Serie A 2011-12 / Day 25
NAPOLI-INTER 1-0
Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga; Dzemaili (90' Dossena), Lavezzi (83' Britos); Cavani. Coach: Mazzarri
Inter: Julio Cesar; Faraoni, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Stankovic (67' Poli), Cambiasso; Sneijder (46' Pazzini); Milito, Forlan (46' Cordoba). Coach: Ranieri
Referee: Bergonzi
Goal: Lavezzi 59'
Yellow card: Gargano; Nagatomo, Milito, Cordoba, Faraoni, Poli
Red card: Aronica (80')
Comments
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Posted by Sia on 02/27/2012
Team is flat, there is no plan or idea how to attack or creat any scoring opportunities, they need a mental boost or lift and Ranieri is not capable of giving these guys anything positive, as long as he stays in charge I personally don't see this team doing anything significant, maybe one or two wins by random chance...
Inter problem other than old age, it has been wrong coaching selection this season... any change at this juncture will do Inter some good, than no change at all.
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Posted by Sanat on 02/27/2012
Good review there Gianni. I didn't catch the game but the stats tell the story very clearly in this one.
Unfortunately the team seems to be going through the motions right now. They have virtually nothing to play for - The UCL position is also fast disappearing if it hasn't already.
Firing or not firing Ranieri will not have as much effect if it doesn't coincide with playing the youngsters. I had brought up the point earlier when we were 11+ points behind with Scudetto gone - PLAY THE KIDS..even if we don't win we still have a squad of young confident guys who have an entire season of Serie A experience under their belts. Now we have a bunch of veterans most of whom won't be playing a major role next season(I hope) and the youngsters with little to no confidence and real match experience
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Posted by Mustafa on 02/27/2012
A hopeless Inter. Watching the game, I was easily distracted by my surroundings, and that's a sign that the game was totally boring. Zarate was a naive, selfish player who doesn't deserve to start for Inter. Forlan was alright, but lacked the clinical finesse he's had in former years, notably in the 2010 World Cup. Cambiasso was the only bright spot for me, and I saw how he was directing the game with some good through-balls to Forlan and Zarate. Sneijder looked lost, defending way out of position, and couldn't find anyway to pass to. Thiago Motta was seriously the most influential player Inter had. And Ranieri knows that being in 7th place will hurt Inter's finances, which are already way behind UEFA standards. I know that this is only foreshadowing the real problems to come, starting right after Inter's eliminated from the Champions League. A team that only 21 months ago was on top of the footballing world.
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Posted by Moises on 02/27/2012
@Sia I agree with you, lack of motivation seems to be the issue. Changing the coach is the only thing the team can do, probably not the final choice for a coach but someone else. At this point Ranieri is just seems too scared of losing and that's not the way to build confidence in the players.
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Posted by Angel on 02/27/2012
Gianni is right, inter played with no bravery against Napoli, its as if their confidence has faded and Ranieri was forced to just play defense knowing that the best thing he can do is tie.
Inter did well in defense, and were defending well against the faster Napoli attacking flanks. Both Lucio and Samuel played great games, fighting for every possession, and fighting off Cavani with Faraoni. But taking out both Wes and Forlan at halftime was a sign that Ranieri feared Napoli, and wanted to get the tie. That certainly boosted Napoli to push the ball forward more, and inter had nothing up front to counter with which sealed the game.
I think the only real hope left in the season, like many people have said is to play younger players who are hungry to win, and wait for Alvarez & Guarin to spark something in the midfield because right now we are sitting ducks. Without someone to make GOOD PASSES and add CREATIVITY, the forwards will be stuck as goalposts.
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Posted by Inter -IS on 02/27/2012
All i have to say is that from now on, going forward.... WHEN they are healthy, i don't give an F who the coach is... poli, guarin, alvarez should START every game and castaignos and faraoni should come in atleast as subs.
i know faraoni didn't have a very good game, but i still think he deserves to play and get his confidence up. Also, i don't know what all of you guys think about obi, but in the games i've watched, he's never done anything of note to justify the amount that he plays.
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Posted by Inter -IS on 02/27/2012
Also, some of the commentary on other sites continue to keep blaming sneijder and forlan and to a lesser extent pazzini for what is happening to us lately. I guess that MIGHT make sense since we haven't scored in like 4 games... but if anyone watches the game, i think its clear that the issue is in the midfield, not the strikers.
Forlan is active, makes runs, can pull down long balls, can move out to the wings to get the ball...etc. I know he wasted a few chances but overall, I don't think he's been that bad. Pazzini is low on confidence but still finds himself in great positions to score and is a pest for the other defense.
In the napoli game, this was our total output on offense:
1 close sneijder free kick
A few pop shots from far away by deki/sneijder
1 cross from nagatomo that pazzini just missed
PATHETIC. And taking off sneijder and forlan was a terrible mistake. Changing formations drastically mid game? really? isn't that what ended the gasperini experiment?! SO FRUSTRATING
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Posted by Levi on 02/27/2012
Inter are running two formations. The first is a 4-3-1-2. This is the formation that I would recommend, or some variation of it. There is however, a very good reason that it is not working. This formation has a lot of upside. For one thing, it allows the defensive mid to stay defensive, its a hard core to break down. We saw this in the first half as Napoli found it hard to break through. It also allows the attacking mid to dictate the game with control, passing, creativity and vision. Finally, the strikers get lots of service and opportunities to make solid runs and create space (with the A-mid) for opportunities on goal. As I'm sure all of you know, none of this happened against Napoli. That's because with this formation there is a huge downside. It requires a virtuoso and dynamic playing. All of this pressure rests on Sneijder's shoulders, as the attacking mid. But he had another deplorable game. He didn't create space, he didn't feed the strikers, hell he didn't even keep...
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Posted by Levi on 02/27/2012
possession, so all of the service came from Deku/Zanetti/Cambiasso in the form of hopeful passes from midfield. That is why Inter had one, that's right ONE shot at goal in the entire first half, yet the defense remained solid.
The other formation is Ranieri's famous 4-4-2. This is a formation that is very formulaic and allows for very little creativity. It usually is present with a team that has no superstar to create chances. The attack is driven primarily from the outside as the left and right backs make runs to support the strikers with their crosses. That's why Pazzini was introduced, as he thrives on service to him in the box. You'll notice that it had an immediate effect. Suddenly the strikers had the ball in the box! There is a downside here. With no linkup between defensive mid and front, the midfield is forced to push forward, leaving the back line (which is reduced to two because of the outside backs running up) completely vulnerable to counter-attacks. Napoli has three...
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Posted by Levi on 02/27/2012
speedy and dynamic forwards that took little time to exploit this vulnerable defense. So while Inter was having two shots at goal, Napoli was scoring. The 4-4-2 can work against possession teams like Barcalona, but will break against dynamic teams like Real Madrid (or in this case, Napoli).
Suggestions: Run the 4-3-1-2. But do it without Sneijder. The team is living or dying by his form alone, and that isn't right. Once again, the ownership is proving more harmful than helpful as they put pressure on Ranieri to use the superstar every game, despite his poor form and lack of concentration. I would suggest Alvarez. Or if not him, Forlan plays that position at Uruguay (where he has the national record for scoring). If it were me though, I would sell Sneijder while his reputation is good and buy 4 midfielders that can all produce every game. Or a prolific superstar. Consider Modric. Also, with the money from Sneijder alone, you could buy a better coach. My point is, Inter's form is not...
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Posted by Levi on 02/27/2012
Sneijder's fault alone. And it is not a consequence of age. Or lack of togetherness. Or the coach. It is a combination of all of these things, and something has to give. Sell Sneijder. Please! Before his contract is up and he bounds away for next to nothing.
Sorry for the long post.
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Posted by Barry on 02/27/2012
I agree with Levi, it definately seems to be an all round combination of all of these points, we should part our ways with Sneijder now.
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Posted by Santi on 02/27/2012
Stankovic, Cambiasso and Zanetti...sorry lads with that midfield its impossible to create anything...I feel sorry for the strikers actually.
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Posted by Inter -IS on 02/27/2012
I agree with Santi more than Barry and Levi. Levi, thanks for the details of the formations, that was very insightful.
I agree that this is an overall combination of a problem, not just on one or two factors. If we want to part ways with sneijder as an overall rebuilding approach, then i'm ok with that. But i don't want to sell him if we are getting NOTHING in return for the future like we did with santon or balotelli or etoo.
Also lets keep in mind that it will be difficult for us to attract world class top young talent if we can't offer them a chance to play in the champions league next year, which is looking more and more unlikely.
I'm convinced that we can't play cambiasso and zanetti in the midfield together, unless you have someone linking them with sneijder/alvarez and the strikers. Motta was able to mask alot of that, but asking stankovic or obi to do it is absurd. If you don't have strikers that can take on defenders you need more than just sneijder making it all happen
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Posted by Angel on 02/27/2012
I agree with Inter-IS, selling Wesley and not getting the right player to replace him would be dyer. Wes has quality and technique, putting everything on his shoulders is affecting his moral and he clearly needs support in midfield. I think we must be patient tough and see how Wes co-exists with Alvarez and Guarin in the midfield, and if that does any good at all to turn things around...so inter can at least get a top 5 finish in Serie A.
If things continue as they are, the next coach will clean house, weather it's Villas-Boas, Pep Guardiola or Capello..no coach would keep this team as it is, and changes will be made weather Wes is sold or they completely bench older players.
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Posted by Pietro on 02/28/2012
Hats off to Levi, great comment. I disagree only about Sneijder as Inter are lacking quality and Wes can provide it, if you sell you must find another world class player like him as Inter-IS and Angel said. I'd like also to stress that Inter were already on the way down last season, then Moratti sold Eto'o (August 2011) and Motta (January 2012), Ranieri is not the main culprit of this torrid Feb 2012.
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Posted by Inter -IS on 02/28/2012
Agreed. I know sneijder n forlan n pazzini are the players taking most of the blame for inter's trouble scoring, but that just doesn't go deep enough. Same thing for ranieri. I don't understand alot of the decisions he makes and the substitutions he makes, but he's the coach, not me. All i can evaluate on is the results, which are shared between the players and the coach.
I think its clear that ranieri will be gone after this year, if he makes it that far. I definitely think that it is time to get an actual PLAN in place. Get a good coach, let him get involved in the transfer market, build the youth and by proven players who are between 23-27.
I think most Inter fans are ready to put up with some disappointing results, as long as there is some building for the future, some cohesive plan, some CONTINUITY as sam mentioned above. We are one of the most historically celebrated teams on this planet. If we have a plan, i think we can still attract a top notch coach and some strong talent!
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Posted by Levi on 02/29/2012
For some positive news however, a lot of world football critics (like those at ESPN) are calling Inter Milan the "sleeper team". They say that although it may be impossible to win the league if Inter were to "wake up", they predict that Inter could win the Champions league with the talent they have. They are calling this squad "better than 2010 on paper", and if the likes of Maicon, Forlan, Sneijder, Milito, and all the other greats were to suddenly "wake up", we could run the table.
I feel like a great deal of us fans are resigned to the fact that this isn't Inter's year. This is probably true, and it makes sense to be realistic about all this. But every time I tune in to Inter anyway and expect great things. Because that's what this club represents. And I'm not ready to give up.
Forza Internazionale!
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Posted by Robbie on 03/01/2012
Nothing is worse for me than the memory of 1998-99. The team was in a tailspin. But now, looking at our team, the defeats, the lack of direction, we look almost as bad!
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Posted by Angel on 03/01/2012
At this stage of the season, inter look hopeless and terrible, but sooner or later they will have to react, and wake up from this horrible slump. Inter are a top club, and can pull through this because of the quality and character that the players have.
Buying one superstar to fix everything is not gonna solve the problem as Sam noted, instead inter must start from scratch by rebuilding the team. All great teams have to rebuilt,resistance to it will only bring problems as what is going on with Chelsea and their power struggles between players and the club.
Next season, inter must focus in incorporating Alvarez, Countinho, and Poli. No doubt about it, they are inters future. It would be nice to see Palombo in the midfield, i hope he gets a chance to play this weekend and maybe help spark the team to be more aggressive.
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Posted by Inter -IS on 03/02/2012
Inter's midfield and strike-force next year:
4-2-3-1
guarin - poli
alvarez - lucas moura - coutinho
pazzini
With those 6 as midfield/attackers i think inter fans would be willing to put up with a few draws and losses. what do you guys say?
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Posted by SMirk on 03/02/2012
People put too much emphasis on sneijder. I don't think its that he hasn't been performing as much as that he has no supporting characters, on offense especially in the final third there is very little movement to open space except by sneijder. He's the only one trying to make things happen up there, the outside backs are the only ones getting forward besides the occasional cambiasso run, which always ends up with a half chance at least. Inter could see a spike in form if they just start moving off the ball and make space for the forwards or for midfield runs.
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Posted by Inter -IS on 03/02/2012
Completely correct.
We need more from our midfield going forward. Not even for them to run and take shots on goal, but just to collapse the opposing defense, get defenders out of position, and open up some passing lanes going forward.
I love zanetti and cambiasso (how can any inter fan not?), but anytime you have zanetti and cambiasso in the midfield together, you better have someone else up there to run forward and play with sneijder. I think alvarez can be that guy once he is healthy and coutinho could have done it, but stankovic and obi definitely have not. I don't care what formation we use, we need atleast 2 midfielders going forward to support strikers and establish offense. If there is one striker, then 3.
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Posted by JRank on 03/02/2012
ive been thinking for the rest of the season we need something like this
zanetti lucio samuel nagatomo
maicon cambiasso
alveraz sneijder forlan
milito
Posted by far on 07/24/2012
Your comment on the ircentonnectedness of everything, and wanting to see where the internet is going to be in 10 years time is something that resonates with me, big time! Part of my mission over the coming holidays is to get my LinkedIn account up to date, and to work on my general social media profile .a lot!
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About
Gianni Serra is a European football journalist. He currently writes for lechampions.it, covering international club competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, the CAF Champions League, the O-League. You can follow him on twitter: @gianniserra20
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