As I settled in to watch Inter take on Torino in the week's early kickoff (7.30pm in Singapore), I knew I wasn't expecting to be entertained. I knew both sides would look to hit the other on the counter attack. If anything, Torino were more likely to be dominant and attacking in its style as they were playing at home. What I didn't expect though was that Inter would have the ability to put me to sleep by the end of the first half even for a match that kicked off at 7.30pm! The first half was that boring as both sides waited for the other to attack. I am putting the blame on Inter because they are my team and I expect them to do better even if it's silly of me to expect Inter to be an attacking and entertaining side after what I have seen of them so far this season.
Remarkably, Inter had taken the lead in the first half with their first shot on target and it was a well-worked move. Yuto Nagatomo's free kick was flicked on by Rodrigo Palacio for Geoffrey Kondogbia to volley in his first goal for the club. A few minutes prior to that, former Inter youth product, Marco Benassi curled a brilliant effort from the edge of the box but was unlucky to see the shot crash off the crossbar. In the second half, Torino decided to take initiative of the game to increase their tempo and attack more. Inter held firm as a defensive unit and were happy to just sit back and defend, showing no desire to go forward and get a second goal. Whenever, the defence was breached, Samir Handanovic was there to thwart Torino attacks and performed his customary superhero act once early in the second half. He saved twice in quick succession from Fabio Quagliarella and Andrea Belotti. His displays remind me of Francesco Toldo, the other superhero Inter goalkeeper that I know of and have seen. Whenever the ball did break for an Inter counter-attack, Inter's attackers especially substitute Ivan Perisic didn't look interested to score. There was a point when Gary Medel was playing further forward closer to Perisic and Adem Ljajic but not exactly in his ideal position. In the end, Inter held firm in defence to keep out Torino rather comfortably and defy all logic to rack up 3 more points and go top temporarily at least pending Fiorentina's result against Sampdoria later in the day.
First let me address what I feel is good about this Inter side. Roberto Mancini has really worked on the defensive organisation of this team. It is very difficult to breach the Inter defence conceding only 7 goals all season. I have to admit that Joao Miranda and Jeison Murillo have been excellent signings so far and they have contributed to Inter's excellent defensive record this season and their solidity as a pair and the presence of players like Felipe Melo and Medel in front of the defence has assisted them too. Individually and collectively, the team has defended robustly and stoutly and overall, the team has looked really solid and it is breeding confidence in the team with each passing game. Next, I feel Mancini has done well to implement tactical flexibility in the side to counter different opponents. He has taken full advantage of not playing in Europe to do so. It is clear that this Inter is not built to take the initiative in games and attack therefore it's strategy is to adapt to the opponents and counter their threat. They have implemented that strategy well except in the only match they have lost this season, against Fiorentina. Finally, I like what Mancini is doing with the squad by giving everyone some game time, fully utilising the squad despite not having any European games in midweek and everyone is kept on their toes. The only player that has not played a part yet or from the start at least is Martin Montoya. By doing this, he has also helped raise the level of players that were previously on the transfer market like Nagatomo and Danilo D'Ambrosio. I favour Andrea Ranocchia as a rare Italian in the squad but to be frank, his performances last season hasn't helped his cause. Let's see if and when he gets the opportunity, would he be able to take it and show his improvement or is he permanently doomed due to Miranda and Murillo's performances this season.
Now on what I don't like about this Inter side. I feel the team is too passive in its approach. I feel the team has been lucky so far to score whenever they have scored. The goals have been either spectacular, well worked, scrappy, through a penalty or from taking advantage of an opponent's error. We have not seen Inter as an attacking force at all and according to what we have seen, it looks unlikely that we shall see it this season. Inter looks content to go through the entire season winning 1-0. Whatever I have read from Inter's coaching staff, Mancini, owner, Erick Thohir and directors, seem to suggest an acceptance of the present style of play. It seems to suggest that entertaining the fans and playing attacking football is far secondary to obtaining results. The criticism of the Inter side doesn't bother anyone as long as the team keeps winning. I feel it is unbecoming of a big side like Inter to play in such an unadventurous style and rely solely on its defence to win. It is provincial and backward mentality. For all the quality amassed in the squad, Inter should be more than capable in playing a better style of football. I can't understand why on earth would Mancini resort to playing in such a way. There have been parallels drawn with the Manchester City side that he managed to the Premier League title due to the physicality in the Inter side but that is where the parallels end. City were more attacking and actually won the title due to a better goal difference. This Inter has not managed more than a goal a game.
On the owner Erick Thohir, I feel he is not good for the development of Italian football. He is clearly in it for financial gains. All he cares about is that Inter meets the goal its been set regardless of how its achieved. What he fails to realise is that if Inter keeps playing like that, they will not gain many new followers. They might achieve the goals and objectives of the project which is namely Champions League qualification this season but no-one would want to follow a side that bores spectators especially not in modern-day football where every side worth its salt as a big team is playing or looking to play an attacking style. He wants to make the San Siro Inter's but that is something a lot of Italian clubs are working on after Juventus managed to do it. A lot of Italian clubs know that they need to privatise their stadiums for greater monetary gains as well as for modernisation purposes. Thohir doesn't care about the development of Italian football from its youth level. He doesn't care about having local players in the team, he doesn't care about having local representation in the team from the youth ranks. He just wants the best people on the job which extends to the boardroom regardless of nationality which is fine on a meritocratic level. I cannot just blame him only for doing that because many other clubs have the same mentality. Most have the mentality of just wanting what is best for their club and have no thought on what is good for the development of the game on a national level. It is fine as well if he thinks about the good of Inter as a club because that has to be the objective but the football business cannot be run in the same way as other businesses. I get a feeling that he is less a football person and more a businessman which unfortunately is the stereotype of an Asian football owner.
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