2 weeks Ago By The Straits Times
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi during the Serie A match against Venezia, which his team won 1-0. MILAN – Inter Milan face a big week for their European and domestic ambitions with the visits of both Arsenal and Napoli, as the Italian champions try to banish worrying signs of frailty. Simone Inzaghi’s team are level on seven points with Arsenal in the revamped Champions League and sit handily in the top eight positions which offer direct qualification to the last 16.
On the face of it, Inter are in good nick ahead of the Nov 6 clash against the Gunners with seven wins in an unbeaten run of eight in all competitions since their only defeat of the season, in September’s Milan derby. But the good results hide an indecisive streak which has characterised their performances this term and left them trailing surprise Serie A leaders Napoli. Inter conceded just 22 goals in Serie A last season as they crushed the domestic competition and Inzaghi’s side were heavy favourites to retain the Scudetto after keeping hold of star players and adding to an already strong squad.
But their previously solid defence has already been breached 13 times in 11 league fixtures while their formidable attack has lost the ability to close out of matches. Chucking away a two-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Juventus was the latest episode of a series of uncharacteristic downfalls after profligate finishing kept opponents in games. And even their single-goal win over Venezia on Nov 3, which moved Inter to one point behind Napoli, came after VAR (video assistant referee) officials spotted Marin Sverko’s almost imperceptible handball and disallowed his stoppage-time equaliser.
Inzaghi knows where the problems lie as he looked ahead to the match against Arsenal. “We need to be more clinical. We missed a lot of good chances which would have made the match easier.
.. we shouldn’t have only been 1-0 ahead in the 97th minute,” he said following the victory over Venezia.
Lautaro Martinez, the match winner at the weekend, is set to make his first start in this season’s Champions League alongside Marcus Thuram. France striker Thuram has only missed one match in Inter’s packed fixture list and was one of those guilty of missed chances in a tired-looking display against Venezia. Inter are in the Champions League top eight thanks to his late winner at Young Boys in October, when both Thuram and Martinez had to come off the bench to save the day after disappointing efforts from their back-ups Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi.
Good news for Inter comes in the shape of the return of key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi whom Inzaghi said will be available after a fortnight out with a thigh strain. Inzaghi also said the only player missing will be wing-back Carlos Augusto but with Federico Dimarco in red-hot form, the Brazil international had little chance of featuring against the Gunners. Dimarco set up Martinez’s winner against Venezia, his fifth assist of the season for club and country.
The Italy international will be key to Inter’s hopes against both Arsenal and Napoli at the weekend. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now.
