Inter haven’t scored in the last four games across all competitions, but Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez’s goal drought doesn’t seem to be the only problem for the Nerazzurri at the moment.
The Serie A champions picked up a 0-0 draw in last night’s Coppa Italia clash against Milan. It was just the first leg, so the Nerazzurri still have a fair chance to qualify for the Final. Over the last few weeks, their trend has been quite worrying as Simone Inzaghi’s men failed to score in the last four matches against Liverpool, Sassuolo, Genoa and the Rossoneri.
Lautaro Martinez hasn’t scored a goal in 2022 yet, while Edin Dzeko only managed three goals in the last 13 games across all competitions. Strikers’ poor form is undoubtedly one of Inter’s issues right now, but it’s definitely not the only one.
Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi has highlighted how both Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolò Barella ‘looked exhausted’ against Milan, adding that the Nerazzurri lacked a link-up between attack and midfield.
Barella delivered eight assists in his first 16 Serie A games this season, one more than he managed under Antonio Conte during the last campaign. He hasn’t been so effective in the final third since the start of 2022, having scored one goal and failing to register any decisive pass.
Brozovic is not a natural goal scorer or an assist provider, especially now that Hakan Calhanoglu is in charge of Inter’s set-pieces. However, the Croat international has only missed two games this season and was subbed off only 11 times across all competitions this term.
Only Samir Handanovic (3,270) and Milan Skriniar (3,000) have played more minutes than Brozo this term (2,959). Calhanoglu has also dropped significantly since the start of 2022 with just one assist in 11 appearances. The former Milan star had had six goals and eight assists in the first 18 Serie A games with the Nerazzurri.
Lack of goals is indeed strictly connected to Inter’s struggles in the middle of the park, where Inzaghi’s regular starters look tired and unable to be effective in the final third. The coach may need to rotate more in the next few games, although he’d also need help from players who haven’t had regular playing time so far and who have also failed to impress since the start of the year.
Inters problem is a lack of depth, which means that the team is knackered!! They have about 15 players that are worth using… it’s a building process- they need to increase the numbers in the summer, and somehow get rid of the deadwood….
His mouth is a problem. He finds positive where its not existing.
It was a strange decision to let Sensi go to Sampdoria. Looks like Inter really need him now to give others a rest.
At this point none of the technical problems matters. It’s more of a psychological problem that’s affecting the players now. I hope Inzaghi make a bold move and start with a different system with both Lautaro and Dzeko on the bench. Correa and Sanchez can provide something different in attack which is pace. One thing is clear tho against Salernitana Inter must win so despite who starts Inter must attack from the first minute to get an early goal.
I hope inter can still get 100 mln for lautaro until its not too late
Calhanoglu‘s season is over, he is not returning after that tunnel from Brahim Diaz.. hahaha
The midfield is the problem. Before the winter break the midfield could hold up a aggressive high press and attack in a high tempo. Both are now slowed down a lot due to fatigue.
Vidal on a good day could be a fine substitute but Gagliardini and Vecino just dont have the technique and pace to be a useful substitute. This mean that Brozo, Barella and Calhan have to play almost constantly.
@FORZA: Inter were never getting that figure for Martinez, perhaps ~80M.
@Jakes: spot on! I believe the club is also missing Pintus, the fitness coach that is now over at Real Madrid.
@FORZA: Inter were never getting that figure for Martinez, perhaps ~80M.
@Jakes: spot on! I believe the club is also missing Pintus, the fitness coach that is now over at Real Madrid.