With the Milanese giants enjoying an extremely productive and busy transfer period during the offseason, the expectation is that Roberto Mancini’s side finishes in one of the three Champions League spots this coming campaign.
With the amount of talent that has been brought in, this is not beyond the realm of possibility. However, the beginning of the 2015-16 Serie A season promises to be one of adjustment for Inter.
The Nerazzurri open their domestic campaign against last season’s 17th placed side Atalanta, before facing Serie A new-boys Carpi, city rivals AC Milan, Chievo and Hellas Verona. Expectations will be to win at least four of these encounters.
On paper, Mancini’s side is easily superior to all of these opponents apart from cross-town rivals AC Milan, however, talent does not always transfer from the team sheet to the field, and getting the squad to gel and play to the manager’s style is no easy feat.
With most, if not all, of the incoming transfer dealings concluded for the current window, this may be how Inter Milan kick off their campaign on 23 August.
Goalkeeper – Samir Handanovic
If it was not for the Slovenian between the posts, Inter Milan may have finished well below eighth spot in 2014-15. Despite a couple of blunders towards the end of the season that may have cost his side a place in the Europa League this term, the former Udinese man will be looking to continue his outstanding form and, once again, play a pivotal role in Inter Milan’s quest for Europe.
Right-Back – Martín Montoya
The loanee from Barcelona provides more quality than the options currently at Mancini’s disposal at right-back. Certainly an improvement on Danilo D’Ambrosio, who featured regularly towards the end of the season, Montoya will be vital in providing width to Inter’s narrow 4-3-1-2 formation.
Centre-Back – João Miranda
The 30-year-old comes in looking to shore up an Inter Milan defence that shipped 48 goals last time out in the league. His experience and achievements at former club Atlético may be relied upon heavily by his new manager as, due to the club’s expenditure in the market thus far, anything below a third place finish would be seen as a failure for the Nerazzurri.
Centre-Back – Jeison Murillo
The Colombian centre-back, another new arrival from La Liga, looks likely to be a regular fixture under Mancini, having featured heavily and impressing during preseason. The 23-year-old’s injury record suggests he may not enjoy regular runs in the first team. But when fit, Murillo is a likely starter and his abrasive all-action style will be a benefit for the team.
Left-Back – Davide Santon
The Italian full-back may be the main benefactor of Inter’s lack of options at left-back. Capable of playing on both sides of a back four, Santon, who has eight caps for Italy, could begin the season where Juan Jesus has been regularly utilised in preseason friendlies due to the Brazilian’s inability to adapt to the position.
Centre-Midfield – Marcelo Brozovic
Now beginning to show his potential in a black and blue shirt, the Croatian could play a key role in the centre of the park for the club. Putting in some assured and efficient displays in this position during preseason, the 22-year-old will be required to continue this, with Fredy Guarin and Assane Gnoukouri snapping at his heels for a place in the starting XI.
Defensive-Midfield – Gary Medel
The Chilean will come back into the first team fold following Mateo Kovacic’s transfer to Real Madrid. The midfield workhorse will look to bring last season’s form into the new campaign, with the important (and at times underrated) role of mopping up in front of the back four being assigned to him in 2015-16.
Centre-Midfield – Geoffrey Kondogbia
The €40 million signing from Monaco will be given a more advanced role with Kovacic gone, with Medel expected to sit at the base of midfield. Such is the former Sevilla man’s talent, qualification for the Champions League could hinge on the performances of the powerful Frenchman.
Attacking-Midfield – Hernanes
The former Lazio man looks likely to start the season at the point of Inter Milan’s midfield, having enjoyed some fine performances towards the tail end of 2014-15. Such performances will need to be repeated for the 30-year-old to maintain his spot in the team, however.
Striker – Stevan Jovetic
The new acquisition from Manchester City is expected to slot alongside Mauro Icardi up front for Inter. If the Montenegrin can remain injury free this season, it is expected that he will be a big hit in Serie A once more.
Striker – Mauro Icardi
Last season’s joint Capocannoniere, scoring 22 league goals, was one of the few bright lights to emerge in Inter Milan’s 2014-15 campaign. One of the few certain starters in this team at the moment, the prolific Argentine will once again be a key figure for the club this coming season.
Notable substitutes
Andrea Ranocchia
With the squad boasting an abundance of talented centre-backs, the captain’s position in the team may begin on the bench this term. Having made some crucial defensive errors in the not-too-distant past, improvement will be needed for Ranocchia to regain his place in the starting lineup.
Juan Jesus
Played out of position at left-back many a time last season as well as in preseason. The 24-year-old may be a better option than the ageing Miranda at centre-back, however it appears likely that the latter may begin the season in the starting XI.
Yuto Nagatomo
Attempts to shaft the Japanese international to another club have proved unsuccessful thus far, and if Nagatomo is not at another club by the beginning of the season, expect him to begin on the bench.
Assane Gnoukouri
The 18-year-old received several first team appearances last season, and more are expected to follow this season. Mancini is a big admirer of the Ivorian, and opportunities in centre-midfield may come by occasionally for the Marseille youth product in 2015-16.
Fredy Guarín
With Kovacic gone, Guarin may receive more minutes than expected prior to the season’s opening, however Mancini seems to favour Brozovic at this point in time.
Jonothan Biabiany
Biabiany is a clever acquisition, especially considering the club got him for free. Not quite at the level to demand a regular place in the starting lineup, but good enough to come off the bench, add a new dimension and width, and make a difference for Inter.
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