Inter are expected to lose the Argentine during a vital period of the season after sustaining minor ligament damage to his knee.
Victory against Roberto Donadoni’s Bologna at the San Siro over the weekend proved bitter-sweet for Roberto Mancini.
On one hand there was continuation of the slow, but steady upward trajectory Inter have been experiencing over the past few weeks – coupled with the fact rivals Fiorentina dropped points in the quest for third place. On the other, there was the injury sustained to 23-year-old striker, club captain and top scorer Mauro Icardi.
The La Masia graduate endured a below par start to the season, after being handed the captain’s armband for 2015-16. Stevan Jovetic was the main man for Inter Milan in the opening few games, with Icardi putting in a few underwhelming showings after returning to first team action following a minor injury. As well as this, rumours of a fallout with manager Mancini saw the Argentine lose his place in the starting XI, with word of a potential exit from the San Siro also being mooted.
Despite all, Icardi showed desire and determination in reclaiming his starting spot as well as the manager’s favour, once again becoming a pivotal member of the Nerazzurri squad and going on to become Inter’s top scorer of the current campaign with 12 in the league so far. When Internazionale were not playing well, Icardi was still scoring and winning his side valuable points.
The former Samp man’s presence in his side will undoubtedly be a big miss. He boasts one of the best shot to goal ratios in the league and could usually be relied upon to take whatever chances came his way. Inter’s no.9 has become a talisman for his side with his recent goalscoring exploits, and now the Milanese club will have to do without his services for what is expected to be a month. Their first test comes in the form of high-flying AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, however the following matches without the poacher may prove to be just as arduous.
With Inter rediscovering form as of late, undesired results may cause the Nerazzurri to slip further back in their pursuit of Champions League football. Icardi’s injury diminishes the already slim chances of this task being fulfilled, though Mancini still has options up his sleeve who could fill in for the Argentine.
Éder would be the obvious choice to replace the club captain in the coming weeks. The Brazilian-born striker boasts skill in abundance and has shown his eye for goal with not only Sampdoria, but also the Italian national side. Despite not yet scoring for the Nerazzurri, the 29-year-old still carries a glowing reputation as well as the manager’s backing, and may just display his worth if given a chance in his preferred role up front.
Rodrigo Palacio would be the next man in line to come in for the injured skipper, with the ageing Argentine the most likely to start up front if Éder is continually utilised behind the main striker. The 34-year-old has scored just once in 21 league appearances for Inter this season, though has impressed in the first team as of late with his industry and guile. It is true that Palacio is not the player he once was, though he still may represent a useful choice as the main striker.
Jovetic, arguably the best option of the three but out of favour with Mancini, represents the third and final senior alternative at the 51-year-old manager’s disposal. The Montenegrin was Inter’s best player in the opening five rounds and has the ability to haul his side closer to the Giallorossi, with some of his match-winning performances at the beginning of 2015-16 prime examples of the talent he possesses. A long spell with very little first-team action, however, will not serve the 26-year-old well and Mancini is likely to be cautious due to this.
Regardless, though, of whoever fills in during Icardi’s absence, the 23-year-old’s duration on the sidelines represents a monumental blow in Inter’s chase for third place. None of the aforementioned players are as effective as last season’s joint Capocannoniere in the striker’s role, and Inter Milan must now aim to achieve the improbable without their star man during what will undoubtedly be a defining month of the Serie A season for not only Inter but also those chasing the final Champions League berth. For now, though, AS Roma awaits.
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