A restless, angry Inter arrives in Madrid. Saturday's disappointing 2-2 draw against coronavirus-decimated Parma is just the latest disappointment in recent weeks. Of the previous six games, the Milanese only won one (2-0 in the Genoa field), with four ties against Lazio (1-1), Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-2), Shakhtar (0-0), the aforementioned 2-2 with the ducali and the painful defeat in the derby (1-2) with a Milan living an opposite moment.
In the first eight matches of the course, the Nerazzurri achieved half as many victories as a year ago, when there were six, although the most worrying data is another, that of the goals conceded. Handanovic's behind He has already received 12 goals (seven more than in 2019), too many for an Antonio Conte team, who always made defensive strength one of his best weapons. It has taken its toll, in this sense, long absence of Milan Skriniar by covid. The central defender has overcome his illness, but needs to regain his best form and against Real Madrid should start on the bench.
Or work, that of Lukaku, made another of the problems of the Nerazzurri more serious, the lack of aim. Without the Belgian, who has been intractable since he arrived in Italy, it is even harder for Inter to score goals. Lautaro Martinez, after a summer of rumors and doubts about his possible transfer to Barça, He had started well, but he has been dry for five games and lately he looked quite nervous.
A weapon, in these moments of difficulty, it could be the talent of Christian Eriksen, who instead remains a mysterious object. The Dane, who continues to star in controversies over his relationship with Conte, has only started three times in six days of Serie A, never completing 90 minutes. Saturday, against Parma, his performance disappointed again and the coach replaced him in 58 '.
The crisis is undeniable, but at Inter it is not all black. In this complicated beginning, the men whose arrival, in the summer, made everyone think that those from Milan were the favorites to win the scudetto have shone: Vidal and Achraf. Conte stated thatThe Chilean has been “squeezed like a lemon” and that he contributed personality and experience. The winger has already shown all his talent (signing a goal and two assists), and in Italy they want meeting before their former team to be an extra motivation for another great performance. Because if it is true that a different start was expected from this Inter, it is also true that a match with Madrid could be the ideal opportunity to change the course of the season.