SWINGING INTER
Used to be a bunker and coop of goals. Raneri is looking for regularity.
Was doing well but then sudden collapse: the results have become the mirror of a double-sided attack.
Triple for the defense.
Appiano Gentile - The Roman coach made his debut with Inter on September 24 at Dall'Ara and got a 3-1 victory: it seemed to be the beginning of a safe journey. No, it was nothing but ups and downs, like a swing. He guided Inter out of relegation zone but they are never in a trophy zone.
Defense - When the goal was closed...
3 - goals allowed in the eight consecutive games (seven in the league and one in Coppa Italia) between Dec. 10 and Jan. 22.
12 - goals allowed in the last five games: a median of 2.40 goals per game (0.37 in the good stretch).
Attack - When many scored...
15 - Inter goal scorers (total of 31 goals) in the 19 games with Ranieri on the bench between Bologna-Inter and Inter-Parma.
4 - players scored in the last eight games from Milan-Inter to Inter-Novara: nine goals total, six of which were from Milito.
Too much and too little It's simple: where is the continuity? Because apart from the seven consecutive wings (eight with a Coppa Italia game between), Inter have a double face in the attack and even a triple one in the defense. Too much and substantially too little (at the moment) to be able to get the their place which is Moratti's obligation.
More than a month with goals The evidence of the flaws of an orchestra is highlighted by the ups and downs of the season: too much discontinuities, because the leaky defense has gone from impenetrable wall during the many victories in a row to a third line that is allowing everything. All types of goals. There were two identical goals (from Miccoli), there were goals from watching (Chivu against Caracciolo), and a well taken goal in a one on four situation (Bojan's goal at the Olympico). The morale of all this is that: ever since the game against Milan (January 15), Inter have always allowed at least a goal. So for a whole month, they always see balls behind their backs.
Swing The numbers, in this sense, are unsettling. From Bologna-Inter (Sep. 24) to Inter-CSKA (Dec. 7), Inter played 14 games and allowed 17 goals (an average of 1.21 a game); from Inter-Fiorentina (Dec. 10) to Inter-Lazio (Jan. 22), the team of Ranieri played eight games and only allowed three goals (average of 0.37); from Napoli-Inter in Coppa Italia (Jan. 25) to Inter-Novara on February 12, here is the new fall with five games and 12 goals allowed (2.40). The numbers are clear. Clear difficulties on which Ranieri is working every day to stop a swing without horizons.
Attack The midfield also has problems of its own. This department is likely to chase after the ball rather than having the ball and creating for the attack such as Pazzini who only has one goal in more than a month: here are the problems for the attack, which precisely from Bologna-Inter has not experienced a swing but real "falling." From September 24 to January 7 (Inter 5-0 Parma), 19 were the games with 31 goals and 15 different scorers; from the derby (Jan. 15) to Inter-Novara, eight games with nine goals scored (six from Milito) and with only four different scorers. Decline.
Will Forlan see the goal? in short: lacking the precision of Sneijder (has played little and not scored since October 26 in Atalanta 1-1 Inter), Alvarez's plays and especially Pazzini has tarnished (last goal was against Lazio). And then, awaiting resurrection, there is also Forlan. Perhaps it will be useful to the cause if he is playing near the goal rather than staying on the bench or the stands.
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Forlan could get a start instead of Pazzini.
Defensively, Cordoba and Ranocchia could start. Cambiasso to duel with Poli for the midfield.