Following a run of five wins on the trot, Roberto Mancini’s men have failed to claim maximum points in their last three league outings, though still sit third in what must be viewed as a fairly impressive campaign for the side thus far.
An eighth place finish in Serie A last time out saw the Nerazzurri step up their recruitment drive heading into the 2015-16 campaign, with no less than 10 new faces being inaugurated into Mancini’s squad. With these new additions, though, came unwanted – as well as some wanted – departures, with young talents Xherdan Shaqiri and Mateo Kovacic being moved on in order for the club to balance the books. Overall, sitting in third position at the moment with only one loss to their name after eight rounds, Inter Milan’s transfer movements can be justified to a certain extent.
The Nerrazzurri began the campaign in positive fashion, winning their opening five matches, with one of their new signings, Stevan Jovetic, being a key figure. The Montenegrin netted three times in the opening two games – 1-0 and 2-1 against Atalanta and Carpi respectively – winning his new side six points off his own boot.
However, even after five games played and 15 points picked up, concerns remained over the side’s style of play, with a lack of fluidity, creativity and production coming from the centre of midfield. With that said, a new-look Inter defence consisting mainly of Davide Santon, João Miranda, Jeison Murillo and Juan Jesus has looked almost impenetrable, conceding just one goal in the opening five games.
The 4-1 home thumping against Fiorentina changed this, however, with the result serving as a reality check for the team, which was being touted as a potential title contender by the media prior to the match. The following two games against Sampdoria (1-1) and Juventus (0-0) saw much improved defensive performances to that which was on display against the Viola, and the only aspect of the side’s manner of play that seems to require attention is the build-up in attack.
Most impressive player – Stevan Jovetic
The former Manchester City man announced himself to the Nerazzurri faithful in style, coming off the bench early in the season’s opening game against Atalanta to replace injured skipper Mauro Icardi and scoring a magnificent injury time winner. This was followed up by a double against Serie A newboys FC Carpi the next week.
Overall, the 25-year-old has been a constant threat against opposing teams, even more impressive considering the lack of chances Inter have created in the league this season. When Jovetic has not scored, he has played well and contributed in an efficient manner to the team and is always a danger man who opposition defences attempt to stifle throughout the 90 minutes.
Another player worthy of mention is Murillo, who has put in some commanding performances at the heart of Internazionale’s back four. Also a new arrival, the Colombian has been a source of encouragement for Interisti, and at only 23, the best may be still to come.
Most worrying player – Geoffrey Kondogbia
Sure, it would have been easy to name newly-appointed captain Icardi as the club’s biggest under-performer so far, however, the Argentine has been chronically starved of service this campaign, with the poacher usually the type of player who needs others around him to create and make space in order for him to flourish. Instead, Kondogbia takes the mantle, with the 22-year-old enduring an indifferent start to the campaign.
Purchased for a colossal €37 million, a lot of pressure has been placed on the Frenchman’s shoulders and, despite working well alongside Felipe Melo at times, the former Sevilla man has slightly underwhelmed.
In all fairness to Kondogbia, though, Mancini has handed him a role he is not truly accomplished in as a box-to-box midfielder, and the RC Lens youth product is still adapting to Serie A. Also, the defensive-midfielder has not been awful and if given patience will inevitably become an influential figure in any future success the Nerazzurri have.
Sources of encouragement
Following on from a Serie A campaign that saw Inter ship 48 goals in 38 games, questions were raised over how the defence would fare in 2015-16. Apart from the Fiorentina debacle, it has been masterful.
It is even more impressive considering Mancini’s side boasts the league’s joint-tightest defence alongside the Viola, even after that humiliating 4-1 hammering, and have five clean sheets to their name from a possible eight – the most in Serie A alongside Paulo Sousa’s Fiorentina.
Any potential success Inter may have this season will be down in no small part to the back four, with the 50-year-old manager looking to reap the benefits of a successful transfer window (in the defensive department at least).
Areas that require improvement
Plain and simple – the midfield.
Kovacic’s €35 million sale to Real Madrid is one that has left the squad lacking creativity and imagination in the middle, with the whole Inter side suffering as a result. Without someone of the Croatian’s ilk at the heart of midfield, the Milanese side’s attack has been deprived of service, something with which last season’s joint-Capocannoniere, Icardi, thrives upon. Just two goals in seven league appearances (and lucky ones at that) is testament to this.
Despite currently sitting third in the Serie A standings after eight rounds, Inter rank 11th in chances created – below league newcomers Frosinone as well as Empoli, Atalanta and Palermo. What is even more concerning is the fact that the Nerazzurri are one of the league’s lowest scorers with eight – only Bologna (four), Hellas Verona (seven), Frosinone (six) and Genoa (seven) have scored less.
Conclusion
From a positive perspective, Mancini seems to be building from the bottom up, with the back four looking very solid regardless of who steps in. With 10 new additions to the side, it is understandable that the midfield is yet to click, although it is worrying how it has collectively performed thus far. Despite the team’s deficiencies, Inter still sit third in the table with 17 points from a possible 24, and if the midfield does begin to contrive opportunities in which to attack, other Serie A sides will have to be on the lookout.
In essence, the start Inter have made to the 2015-16 Serie A campaign has to be seen as positive, though improvement is required if the Nerazzurri are able to achieve their aim and return to Champions League football next season.
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