What’s next for Inter? Early opportunity to stamp authority | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi and Inter will be raring to go after an untimely international break, and while defending their Serie A title is still the priority this season, the Nerazzurri squad is big and talented enough to push for even more, writes Richard Hall.

‘My Inter will win again’, this was the headline of the Gazzetta Dello Sport on Friday morning as they ran an interview with Lautaro Martinez. His main message is that the Nerazzurri should not stop at two stars but instead use this as a catapult to bring them into an era of dominance in Italian football.

Many say they have the squad to do it and this team will be tested in the next week, as they have an epic week where, at the end of it, if successful, it could see them emerge as the danger team in more than one competition.

For many, the early International break is a hassle, it breaks up the early rhythm and enthusiasm for the domestic campaign, especially following a Euros or a World Cup. Most cannot wait for it be to over and cannot really muster up excitement on what has been learned from this hiatus from club football.

This wasn’t the fact for fans of the Nerazzurri, especially those who follow the Azzurri. Here, fans were treated to spectacular displays from Davide Frattesi (who scored twice) and Federico Dimarco (who netted a sublime goal). At least in some ways it made the break feel like momentum was still in the Nerazzurri’s favour and there were examples of good displays by other squad members.

The opening day had style, it has a special atmosphere, a special game and many though just one special team, but Genoa v Inter gave us a surprise. An uncharacteristic Yann Sommer mistake and some good Genoese offensive work saw the game finish 2-2 however, Inter had played well in many elements of the game and could have finished with all three points.

Normal service was resumed however, a 2-0 win against Lecce was as efficient as was the 4-0 demolition against Atalanta. Inter were clinical ruthless in defence and they did it in style. Nicola Barella with ‘That goal’ as the highlight of all of this, a strike worthy of Lothar Matthaus and celebrated like Nicola Berti.

What’s next for Inter?

So, what next for Inter? This Sunday they travel to Monza in a derby that isn’t guaranteed. Inter have drawn 2-2 in recent years and amongst the 5-1 win and other solid victories, they have also lost 1-0 at home. They will go to the Stadio Brianteo with a heavily rotated squad (more of that later) and with good reason. That is because on the Wednesday they fly to the North of England to face Manchester City in a Champions League clash before they have the ‘home leg’ of the Derby Della Madonnina on the Sunday.

This huge week will certainly test the squad and it is predicted that players such as Stefan De Vrij, Carlos Augusto, Denzel Dumfries, Kristjan Asllani and Medhi Taremi will all start. Simone Inzaghi will be hoping he will be able to get the job done with this team and so he can have a reinforced team ready for the next two games. Strategically, we may also see the coach move from the 3-5-2 to a 3-4-3 at times, as it is said that the introduction of the Iranian striker has given him this option which he has used this season already.

It will be a tough week but if they can come through this with three wins then it would be a huge message to the rest of league and Europe that Inter once again a serious, despite their being a long way to go.

Creating dominance in all competitions is the utopian dream of any of the top European Clubs and it is intensely difficult. Juventus dominated domestically but Europe was evasive, Milan did an incredible job in the late 1980’s, early 1990’s but many teams since have had brief flirtations with prolonged success.

With this Inter team, Serie A is the priority and yet, the squad depth and the unity within it suggest that maybe they could go one step further. Nobody is talking about an era when every trophy has black and blue ribbons but perhaps for a period of time a fair few could

Predicting the future is a game which is nothing but folly, especially these days where the turnover of players, coaches and owners is so huge. Inzaghi will be clear that Inter need to live in the here and now and that means winning at Monza using the assets he has in his squad to get them one step closer. Its not a definitive week however, it is incredibly important.

Words: Richard Hall @RichHall80