Roberto Mancini’s men have so far faced German third division side Stuttgarter Kickers, Serie A new boys Carpi, and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, recording two wins and a loss against their respective opponents.
Inter began preseason with a 4-3 win against Stuttgarter Kickers, courtesy of goals from Rodrigo Palacio (2), Marcelo Brozovic, and Mauro Icardi. Mancini would not be too pleased, however, with the inefficiency in which his second half substitutes operated with, as the side shipped three goals after the break. With that said, however, a win is a win and this match was mostly about fitness and conditioning.
Newly promoted Carpi were Internazionale’s next opponents, a contest that will be fought out between the pair on no less than two occasions throughout the upcoming campaign. The Nerazzurri again proved prolific in front of goal and, despite conceding two, the team put in a positive display. The Argentine strike pairing of Palacio and Icardi once again hit the back of the net, as well as Hernanes and youth team prospect Samuele Longo.
The club’s most recent test came in the form of Pep Guadiola’s Bayern in the International Champions Cup in Beijing. Whilst Mancini’s charges did not disgrace themselves, they went down 1-0 losers on the night, with Germany’s World Cup hero, Mario Götze, netting the winner with only 10 minutes of the match to play.
So what can Inter take out of these friendlies?
4-3-1-2 still used by the manager
Mancini’s insistence on adding width to a team that severely lacked it many a time last season has not come to fruition just yet. The 4-3-1-2 formation that wielded mixed results in the previous Serie A campaign has been utilised in all three friendlies by the manager, with the side looking menacing in attack (aside from the loss to Bayern), and vulnerable in defence.
The strike partnership of Icardi and Palacio seems to be excelling, though this has seemingly come at the cost of the collective team. Eight goals have been scored in three games but six have been conceded. Despite recording two victories, albeit against weaker opposition, this is not the form of teams battling for the top three positions in Italy’s top division.
In saying this, preseason is all about trial and error, and perhaps Mancini will tinker with this formation as well as others once more new arrivals are integrated into the squad.
Rodrigo Palacio on fire
Okay, his three goals all came against a third division German side and a team that will be competing in Serie A for the first time in its history this season, but the evergreen forward has impressed greatly.
The manner in which he executed his goals has been excellent – running off the shoulder of opposing defenders and calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. Vintage Palacio.
What is even more impressive is the on-field rapport the 33-year-old has built with countryman Icardi. The two have been an ever-present threat in preseason (again, apart from against Bayern), and this is a positive sign for Inter fans leading into the upcoming season.
https://youtu.be/egBggTdR5tk
Defence still looking shaky
The defensive pairing of Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus has been employed by Mancini for much of Inter’s preseason friendlies, and the results do not appear to be changing from the previous season.
If it was not for the brilliant Samir Handanovic in goal for Inter, Stuttgarter Kickers would have hit the back of the net more than three times, due to the defensive pairing’s clangers.
A porous defence was an issue that plagued the Nerazzurri for much of 2014-15, both under Walter Mazzarri and Mancini, and the arrivals of Jeison Murillo (who played well against Bayern before going down with injury), João Miranda, and Martín Montoya should have a positive effect on that department of the squad.
Youngsters may get chances during the season
Following an unsuccessful loan spell at recently relegated Cagliari, 23-year-old Longo has returned to Inter and impressed, scoring Inter’s fourth against Carpi.
Long mooted as an academy product who can play a role in the first team for years to come, Longo severely underwhelmed in loan spells with Espanyol, Hellas Verona, Rayo Vallecano, and Cagliari.
There is a general feeling amongst Nerazzurri supporters, however, that the youngster can still have an impact with the side, with Icardi, Palacio, and fellow academy prospect George Puscas (who reportedly may be leaving the club) the only senior strikers in the squad.
As well as this, 18-year-old Ivorian Assane Gnoukouri, who made five league appearances for the club last season, also looks to be one who may challenge for a first team role this season, having already impressed Mancini in 2014-15.
The youngster has regularly featured in Inter’s preseason matches thus far, and more first team opportunities look likely this coming season.
So what exactly have we learned from Inter’s preseason friendlies?
In essence, what can be gathered so far is that Mancini may still have a plan with the 4-3-1-2 formation that was utilised regularly by the 50-year-old last campaign, Palacio and Icardi look as if they may be firing on all cylinders in 2015-16, the Nerazzurri defence needs more work done to it on the training ground, and that Inter boast talented academy products capable of pushing for a role in the first team in years to come.
Despite an eighth place finish in 2014-15, Inter Milan look on course to make an assault on the Champions League places. More work is still needed, though the seeds for success are planted. The greatest challenge the club faces at this point in time is bedding in the new arrivals and allowing the team to gel into a side that will be feared once again.
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