Roberto Mancini’s men find themselves at the summit of the Serie A table, yet have shown signs that they are not yet title contenders and go into the winter break following a disappointing home loss to Lazio.
The story so far
36 points from 17 games and top spot on the ladder makes good reading for Inter fans, however, last week’s result and performance against Stefano Pioli’s 10th place Lazio is likely to linger in the minds of the players as well as Mancini, and it may prove to be a turning point in their season.
Despite this, the side still boasts the league’s tightest defence – having conceded just 11 times – and is seen as one of the toughest teams to compete against. Eight 1-0 victories out of 11 overall shows the San Siro outfit is accomplished at closing out games, though the attacking play, fluidity in midfield and support for the main striker has been lacking severely throughout the course of the campaign and must be improved if Inter are to challenge for the Scudetto.
Mancini’s men have been branded as a ‘boring’ side, but they still manage to get maximum points most weeks, and that is essentially what it takes to win a title. There is still an air of uncertainty, though, regarding the prospects of winning the Serie A crown despite their position in the table.
The manager
Mancini has received mixed reviews this season – many believe that without him and the defensive rigidity he has brought to the side the early title charge may not possible, yet some are of the mind that the manager’s tactics and constant changing of the lineup and formation are harming the team’s chances of getting at opponents and realising its potential. Whatever opinion one may hold though, the Nerazzurri still sit atop of the Serie A table.
Rumours of a possible fallout between manager and club captain Mauro Icardi have also surfaced in recent weeks, though three goals in the last two league fixtures from the 22-year-old have ensured these whispers have been swept under the carpet momentarily.
Standout player
Samir Handanovic, as usual, has been monumental for the Nerazzurri in 2015-16, and if not for him the side may not find itself at the top of the standings.
A few man-of-the-match performances, such as the ones provided against against Torino and Udinese, have ensured Inter remain in the hunt for the Scudetto and prove that the big Slovenian is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, especially based on current form.
The 31-year-old has been a key component in the successes of Serie A’s most stringent and resolute defence in the 2015-16 season, and he is expected to play an increasingly pivotal role in Internazionale’s potential title assault.
Prediction
Many expect Inter to fade and fail to recapture their winning formula in the second-half of the season, which may just be the case.
With Juventus creeping up in the rear-view and Napoli putting in some scintillating performances, as well as Fiorentina and Roma constantly lingering, it is difficult to envision Inter Milan winning the title, especially with the lack of attacking impetus on display from Mancini’s men. A top three finish is a very real possibility, though far from a certainty at this stage of the season, and that is where the side may find itself come the end of the current campaign.
With no European exploits to come in the first-half of 2016, Inter have an edge over their fellow title competitors in the fact that they will remain in Italy while the rest will travel all across the continent. Given the side’s style of play, though and the belief that they may eventually get caught out and/or run out of luck, as well as the tactical and personnel inconsistency shown by the manager, it is not impossible to imagine Inter slipping out of the top three and failing to clinch a Champions League berth.
With plenty of talent at Mancini’s command and a defensive stability unrivalled by other Serie A sides, Inter may finish third.
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