Just a few thoughts:
Sunday lunch time games in Italy suit me fine. It was great to be able to watch an Inter match live and go to bed a little later in the evening smiling.
We battled last night against Chievo Verona. One thing I’m loving about this new team is their spirit and their will to scrap, fight and battle. It’s admirable and those characteristics are what Inter as a team have missed in recent seasons. Watching Inter in past seasons was painful because they were so lifeless and the players did not seem to care. The last two games they have been up for a fight and it makes great viewing. There was an occasion when Jovetic easily gave up the ball and then ran back to make up for his mistake. He put in a slide tackle and won the ball back. For me, that is a sign that we have a team this is hungry, motivated and accountable to each other, something that has desperately been lacking in recent years.
I was watching the match on beinsports. Before the players came out for the second half, the camera was in the tunnel. Mancini had words to Guarin who looked a little irritated and then Melo spoke to the players. I was against Melo’s transfer to Inter from Galatasaray. But he appears to be respected and has seemingly slipped into a leadership role. To see him bringing the players together, addressing and encouraging them before they went out for the second half, provided some behind the scenes insight into the dynamic between the players in a newly formed team. I was opposed to Melo coming to Inter but he is winning me over and provides sound cover for our defence.
Another player that should get a mention is Kondogbia. I was sceptical about his abilities and influence as well as the sum Inter paid for him but he is a strong and imposing midfield presence. He uses the ball intelligently and he is hard to get off the ball. Also, he mostly wins the one-on-one battles against his direct opponent. Inter did well to acquire his services and I could not help but think of Kovacic who mostly struggled to impose himself in games. Kondogbia has absolutely no problem doing that and when he is on the pitch, you know he is there as opposed to Kovacic who at times would go missing.
More than anything, I enjoy watching our defence. At times, its not pretty and there were occassions when they were exposed but generally speaking, they are a lot more solid. Medel in the centre of defence is not a long term move but watching him play there is a lesson for players like Ronacchia and Juan Jesus. Due to his height, he cant contest headers but in terms of ground cover he is almost always first to the ball and knows how to shadow and mark his man. Also, Murillo is tough and does not think twice about throwing his weight around. As for Telles, he was solid and Chievo mostly attacked down Santon’s side. Speaking of Santon, I believe he is our weakest defender. There were a number of misplaced passes that could have proved costly but he got better as the game went on. Right at the end of the game, he put in a rough tough cunt tackle on an oppontent. He got the ball and the player. I thought he was going to be booked but he managed to get away with it. I loved seeing him put in a robust tackle at the end of the game. We have not had that since the days of Materazzi and Cordoba or Lucio and Samuel.
The most encouraging thought is that this team has only just been put together and they are learning as they play. Traditionally, playing in Verona has often been tricky for Inter. Last night’s result is encouraging and bodes well for the future.
Enjoy the fight. Forza Inter!