Inter Milan showed they are capable of mounting an unlikely comeback into Serie A’s top three after defeating Juventus 3-0 in the second-leg of the Coppa Italia, though any potential revival will be down to the performances of Marcelo Brozovic.
With just two wins in their last nine league outings, the Nerazzurri are in danger of falling out of contention to qualify for the European elite in 2016-17.
Timid, insipid and uninspiring performances on the pitch, coupled with rumours of manager Roberto Mancini falling out with players off it, is a cause for great concern after a very promising start to the season, and it appears the wheels are coming off the side’s Champions League bid.
An unexpectedly positive team showing in the second leg of the Coppa Italia Semi-final that saw Mancini’s side comprehensively beat the Old Lady and only lose out on penalty kicks may have changed the morale in the dressing room, however, and potentially reignite a late season revival from Internazionale.
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While it is highly unlikely the Milanese club will break back into the top three, it is not impossible, and with other Champions League qualification contenders AS Roma and Fiorentina facing off on Friday night in the Capital, a win this weekend may help build momentum and belief in Inter’s ranks.
As always, the heroics of Samir Handanovic, the formidable central-defensive pairing of João Miranda and Jeison Murillo and the lethal finishing of Mauro Icardi are all extremely vital if they are to pull off the unexpected. One player who may be just as vital though, is Brozovic.
In a side that lacks a true playmaker, the Croatian can be the man to breathe life back into the Nerazzurri midfield and create the spark that has so often been missing for them this term.
Brozovic’s forward-thinking nature and energy may be the elements that help supply service to Icardi, who has been starved of it for much of the season, and Eder as well as help bring wide players into Inter’s game – something that was a key feature during the second-leg of the Coppa Italia, as Adem Ljajic and Ivan Perišic were constant threats throughout their time on the pitch. This type of play coming from the centre of midfield has been sorely needed all season, and if delivered in the final 11 rounds of the current Serie A campaign, it may help Inter climb the table.
While it is true the former Dinamo Zagreb man has underwhelmed with some of his performances this season, he has progressively improved and looks set to become a key player for Mancini, rating the Croatian so highly as to suggest he is not available to sell at any price. In fact, it can be argued that Brozovic already is a key player for the Nerazzurri as he is the only creative midfielder in a squad that boasts plenty of screeners and ball-winning type players, who do not carry possession forward to link up with the wide players and strikers.
With the stale football on show at the San Siro in recent times, Inter’s No.77 can be the man who makes his side’s midfield more fluid and provide excitement, as well as goalscoring opportunities. Also, Brozovic’s link up play with Ljajic is something that has defenders running scared, with the pair showcasing their brilliant combination play in not only the recent Cup victory against the Bianconeri, but also several league matches in 2015-16, with most of Inter’s best results occurring when the pair are in the starting lineup.
Out of the two, Ljajic has looked the more impressive and has produced more chances when Mancini has given him runs in the first team. However, the left-wing position is one that Inter Milan have strength in depth as opposed to central-midfield, where Brozovic is the only player capable of creating and linking up, hence increasing the 23-year-old’s importance to the side.
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Production from the middle of the park has been the main issue for Inter Milan in 2015-16, though if Mancini decides to implement the correct tactics that will allow Brozovic to flourish, he may do just that as well as help his teammates do the very same in the process.
Inter fans will undoubtedly be hoping that, after Brozovic’s brace in the Cup, Mancini will give him a more influential role in the middle of midfield where he can pull the strings and dictate the tempo of the game. In doing so, the Croatian may just aid his side’s improbable assault on Serie A’s top three.
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