In typical fashion of every site I decide to look back at the season so far for all the top teams. Predictably I start off the series with league leaders Inter.
Inter's campaign this year has been... ROUTINE. Anyone who has seen the Italian champions play over the past few years would not be surprised at the current season.
When speculations of Ibra departing emerged in July, I must admit my heart sank like the Titanic. Ibra was a devastating player and for the past three years Inter solely depended on the Swede.
So frankly I was not impressed when his move was finalised and we had Eto'o joining the team. Though the Cameroonian is a brilliant player it seemed like trading an Armani suit for a Marks & Spencer one.
Milito was another of those Tesco high-value additions and Lucio was the best deal available in Camden market. However, these incoming players still lacked a playmaker and for the first time in years Inter bought one in the form of Wesley Sneijder.
Who for me was undoubtedly the buy of the season. When Sneijder plays Inter always seem competitive at the top level and in his absence they have at times looked like the team of five years ago.
In fact his arrival in Milan was marked by the 4-0 drubbing Inter handed to their city rivals AC. And since then the Dutchman has gone from strength to strength.
The Campaign
As described earlier Inter's season has been very run-of-the-mill stuff which translates to successful for the Nerazzuri. Apart from the game against Sampdoria, Inter have impressed in most of their games.
Ibra's loss hasn't proved to be at all catastrophic. My fears and those of the million other fans have been silenced by the Tesco man.
Diego Milito showed that even the best scouts and transfer gurus can easily miss spotting talent despite it being in their faces. Milito was a renowned goal poacher and he has continued in the same vein here.
Milito's supreme instincts have propelled him to the top of the goalscoring charts once again. And surprisingly he has outperformed even Eto'o on the frontlines.
In the middle of the park Stankovic, Cambiasso and Zanetti have been as consistent as ever. They may not impress in every game but at times continuity is more essential than spurts of brilliance.
Lucio and Walter Samuel have become the new Bonnie & Clyde for Inter in defence. It is strange how an Argentinean and Brazilian can think on the same page and that too at the back.
The only issue has been at left back for the team. Maicon is a bloody box of energy on the right flank but the left one is filled in by the dormant Chivu. No blame attached to him though as he is technically a center back.
Other Boring Stuff
Well as this is a review I have to make the over-talked mention of Inter's European form which has been poor once again. The Nerazzuri have been ROUTINE even there as everyone is accustomed to their struggles in the Champions League.
This year it came with reason though as the team was drawn in a tough group. But that should never be an excuse for their low quality of play at times.
I will say that this was again down to the absence of Sneijder in certain key matches. The Dutchman is as important to Inter as stupid comments for Silvio Berlusconi.
However, now Inter are through to the last 16 and they come up against Chelsea in a terribly hyped encounter. The previous two years have seen Inter go out to English opposition, so will this be three?
Mourinho who has had his fair share of trouble dealing with the press will look to alter this streak. Though no one will blame him if he lingers on in London for some more time after the game.
To conclude I would like to say that this season will again by defined by Inter's European conquest or the lack of it. The Serie A looks like its already won so it will be in the Champions League where they will be tested.
Inter's campaign this year has been... ROUTINE. Anyone who has seen the Italian champions play over the past few years would not be surprised at the current season.
When speculations of Ibra departing emerged in July, I must admit my heart sank like the Titanic. Ibra was a devastating player and for the past three years Inter solely depended on the Swede.
So frankly I was not impressed when his move was finalised and we had Eto'o joining the team. Though the Cameroonian is a brilliant player it seemed like trading an Armani suit for a Marks & Spencer one.
Milito was another of those Tesco high-value additions and Lucio was the best deal available in Camden market. However, these incoming players still lacked a playmaker and for the first time in years Inter bought one in the form of Wesley Sneijder.
Who for me was undoubtedly the buy of the season. When Sneijder plays Inter always seem competitive at the top level and in his absence they have at times looked like the team of five years ago.
In fact his arrival in Milan was marked by the 4-0 drubbing Inter handed to their city rivals AC. And since then the Dutchman has gone from strength to strength.
The Campaign
As described earlier Inter's season has been very run-of-the-mill stuff which translates to successful for the Nerazzuri. Apart from the game against Sampdoria, Inter have impressed in most of their games.
Ibra's loss hasn't proved to be at all catastrophic. My fears and those of the million other fans have been silenced by the Tesco man.
Diego Milito showed that even the best scouts and transfer gurus can easily miss spotting talent despite it being in their faces. Milito was a renowned goal poacher and he has continued in the same vein here.
Milito's supreme instincts have propelled him to the top of the goalscoring charts once again. And surprisingly he has outperformed even Eto'o on the frontlines.
In the middle of the park Stankovic, Cambiasso and Zanetti have been as consistent as ever. They may not impress in every game but at times continuity is more essential than spurts of brilliance.
Lucio and Walter Samuel have become the new Bonnie & Clyde for Inter in defence. It is strange how an Argentinean and Brazilian can think on the same page and that too at the back.
The only issue has been at left back for the team. Maicon is a bloody box of energy on the right flank but the left one is filled in by the dormant Chivu. No blame attached to him though as he is technically a center back.
Other Boring Stuff
Well as this is a review I have to make the over-talked mention of Inter's European form which has been poor once again. The Nerazzuri have been ROUTINE even there as everyone is accustomed to their struggles in the Champions League.
This year it came with reason though as the team was drawn in a tough group. But that should never be an excuse for their low quality of play at times.
I will say that this was again down to the absence of Sneijder in certain key matches. The Dutchman is as important to Inter as stupid comments for Silvio Berlusconi.
However, now Inter are through to the last 16 and they come up against Chelsea in a terribly hyped encounter. The previous two years have seen Inter go out to English opposition, so will this be three?
Mourinho who has had his fair share of trouble dealing with the press will look to alter this streak. Though no one will blame him if he lingers on in London for some more time after the game.
To conclude I would like to say that this season will again by defined by Inter's European conquest or the lack of it. The Serie A looks like its already won so it will be in the Champions League where they will be tested.
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