Inter have had a spectacular start to the season and Richard Hall wonders whether the Nerazzurri can keep the momentum going until their Champions League games against Liverpool.
The Nerazzurri scored nine goals in the last two games and more than a hundred across 2021. They have netted 103 goals across the year under Antonio Conte and Simone Inzaghi and yesterday’s 5-0 win over Salernitana once again proved Inter’s developments under the former Lazio coach. Nobody would see this happening only five months ago, when the Serie A champions saw Romelu Lukaku, Achraf Hakimi and Conte leave.
“The situation was not as bad as everyone said,” director Piero Ausilio said in his last interview with Sky Sport Italia on Thursday. However, Inter are still going beyond expectations and don’t seem to miss their former stars or their ex-coach.
They are not only Serie A table leaders but have also qualified for the Champions League last 16 for the first time in ten years. The question is: will they be able to keep the momentum going until they meet the Reds in February and March next year?
Liverpool will be the opponents after the re-draw was made and as the chaos in UEFA settled, the stark reality of the situation set in. But if Inter are serious about winning the Champions League, these are bridges that need to be crossed.
May 4 1965, Inter trudge off the Anfield pitch with furrowed brows. Even though Sandro Mazzola had equalised after ten minutes, Liverpool had dismantled them 3-1 in the semi-finals of the European Cup in front of 54 thousand fans. It looked like it was over, the dream of retaining the title gone. That was until eight days later when the ‘Reds’ visited San Siro and history would be made.
Helenio Herrera had made his point to the team and on an abnormally hot day in San Siro, Inter took to the field with gusto. Mario Corso scored a well-placed free-kick after only eight minutes and then it was time for Joaquim Piero to make himself famous. Barged off the ball by the Liverpool goalkeeper, he waited until the ball was about to be kicked, came up from behind and stole it in a flash, finishing quickly and leaving the English side with red faces. Finally, it was left to the legendary Giacinto Facchetti to do the rest and win the game with 20 minutes still to go. Inter would go on to win the competition, retaining the trophy as Jair’s goal beat Benfica at the final that was held in Milan.
Memories are one thing and reality is another and the Milanese will be aware that this Liverpool side pose considerable threats. Even so, Inter will need to be confident about the tie if they are serious about going deep into the competition. Inzaghi has built on the work of Conte and they are certainly a more cultured side now. But they have not abandoned old habits. The ability to press is still there and the work rate of the players is still as intense as when the old ‘mister’ was still in place. What they have improved is when they have possession. This may be key when facing the English club.
Liverpool will certainly match the Nerazzurri for intensity and endeavour and they are arguably much more dangerous on the counter than the Milanese. Inzaghi has got the ability to keep possession more and the key to the game may well be to take the pace out of it. With Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Skriniar and Stefan De Vrij, they certainly have the defence to cope with what is thrown at them, although the missing Nicolo Barella will be a huge blow for – at least – the first leg.
This potentially may see Inzaghi look to contain the team from Merseyside at home in the opening February fixture, although that may be a risky tactic. It is certainly a game where his tactical acumen will be tested as will his squad rotation, given that Inter face Milan and Napoli in the build-up to the first leg at San Siro.
The transfer window will also be interesting as Inter look to bolster the squad, albeit on a budget. They may have a very different look by then, but this is the unknown again. Perhaps drawing Liverpool should be seen as an opportunity and not a frustration. If they can beat them, they will have proven that they have what it takes to go into the competition.
These are the tests, just as in 2010 against Chelsea and Barcelona or as in 1965 against Liverpool, where they will have to stand up and be counted. To win this competition, you have to beat the best and Liverpool are certainly up there at this moment in time. Now there is no need to be scared, especially if the Nerazzurri will maintain their shape over the next few months. Inter will look for a statement win, a necessary victory to prove that they are back amongst Europe’s elite.
@RichHall80
You should be afraid. You will be facing the most deadly and feared front 3 in Europe and in the 2nd Leg you will have to play in the most feared stadium in Europe…Anfield, so be afraid.
It’s theirs to lose.
They have the best squad in Serie A (which isn’t saying much nowadays) and should be finishing above the decent but not great squads Napoli and Milan have.
Atalanta are far too erratic and poor at the back, but still may pose the greatest threat to Inter. The rest aren’t up to it.
Liverpool have the better team and more experienced manager so should prevail. As for ‘the most feared stadium in Europe’ Well it is a grade a s++those like the whole area; abandoned houses, bricked up cars, shops selling booze and fags, scaly, unemployed people everywhere. At least when the Pool fans come to Milan they will see what it’s like to live in an affluent city.
See fans like Koppite Ken are one of the main reasons (along with the English media) why the rest of Europe can’t stand the English clubs and the national team. The most feared front 3.. the most feared stadium.. how arrogant and conceited can one person sound,
Going back to the article, Inter are going to have a problem in the lead up to the UCL games as they’ve got to play Lazio (h), Atalanta (a) and Milan, with Napoli (a) 3 days before the first leg with Liverpool. Unless they pull away from the pack over the next few games, they might just fall behind by the time UCL resumes.
obviously liverpool is favourite even if salah and keita cant play because quarantine from african cup. but that the thrills of its, inter never favourite to won UCL on 2010 yet they beat chelsea, barcelona (arguably the best team ever), and bayern. so there is always a chance for surprise.
and current liverpool form not convincing either. they almost lose to aston villa, and they should also lose to tottenham last time, peak performance liverpool is much much better team than inter but that still lot question will their form be better on feb and march or not. the same true to inter. they are on good period but we never know what gonna happened after winter break when player sometimes lose sharpness and match fitness after winter break.