A lunch with Inter these days is a risk, especially for their fans. Who, at 12.30, will watch the match against Parma hoping not to lose their appetite. The premises are not good, on the other hand the Nerazzurri's numbers are there for all to see. The defeats (in the league of course) are already 12, 4 in the last 5 games, of which 2 (3 if we also consider the Italian Cup) are consecutive.
Victory has been missing at San Siro since 10 February (3-1 over Chievo) and lately everyone, young and old, has been celebrating (Bologna, Juventus and Atalanta, as well as Roma in the cup). To all this loss of results is added that of injuries. Read carefully the list of players unavailable for today's match, you will find 12 players and practically the entire starting attack. It is clear that these premises justify, at least in part, Stramaccioni, who is however well aware that he has put something of him into it.
That's why the next matches (starting with this one against Parma) will be decisive for his future. “I have never felt isolated or left alone – the coach thought. – Moratti has the knowledge of the situation at hand, the directors give their contribution, they are always at the Pinetina, we are all in the same boat. But it is right that I put my face on it. I wasn't Special Two before, I'm not terribly scarce now… At the end of the championship, however, you'll know Inter's future”. He doesn't give Strama clues, but he knows well that his president's patience has a limit. There are no excuses today, Inter need a win.
“Let's beat Parma and earn ourselves a week of peace – hoped the Nerazzurri coach. – With Atalanta, Roma and Cagliari the commitment has always been excellent and until we went behind we had done better than our opponent. I still don't reproach my boys for anything. We try to win in front of our fans, we absolutely have to achieve victory”.
Also because it's not just a matter of pride or morals. The standings cry and only a success could help in the run-up to fifth place, the last one valid for the Europa League. A competition that Inter wants to do at all costs, according to Stramaccioni: "It's important to stay in the European cups next year, if it's not the Champions League it will be the Europa League, without making the mistakes of this year".
The Nerazzurri coach did not say it openly, but he refers to his athletic training, which has largely contributed to the barrage of injuries. “From the outside, go in search of the culprits – explained Strama – that's how football is. This season, however, we have witnessed two different moments.
I was there even when Inter were close to the top positions, our problems started when the first injuries arrived, as long as we were in place we beat everyone, we were a top team. When we lost certainties we weren't able to maintain that level, this is our flaw. And in any case, now we are in a huge emergency with all or too many injured people in the same department, all ahead. Difficult to fix… I'm not looking for an alibi but this is an honest analysis”.
In any case, today Inter will have to beat Parma with what are their (few) strengths. Formation is practically obligatory: 3-5-2, with only the defense guaranteeing luxury alternatives (but Chivu has recovered in extremis and Samuel is tired). Midfield and attack, on the other hand, are very tight, as demonstrated by the bench full of Primavera players. Beating Donadoni's Parma (who, by virtue of Paletta's disqualification, will move to the 4-man defence) won't be easy, but it's absolutely necessary. Otherwise let's get ready for a fiery Sunday.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Handanovic; Ranocchia, Samuel, Juan Jesus; Jonathan, Zanetti, Kovacic, Benassi, Pereira; Alvarez, Rocchi.
On the bench: Carrizo, Belec, Silvestre, Chivu, Kuzmanovic, Ferrara, Pasa, Schelotto, Forte, Belloni, Garritano.
Trainer: Andrea Stramaccioni.
Unavailable: Obi, Mudingayi, Milito, Castellazzi, Nagatomo, Stankovic, Palacio, Cassano, Mbaye, Gargano, Cambiasso, Guarin.
Disqualified: nobody.
Beware: Cambiasso, Palacio.
Parma (4-3-3): looking; Rosi, Benalouane, Lucarelli, Gobbi; Marchionni, Valdes, Parolo; Belfodil, Amauri, Samson.
On the bench: Pavarini, Bajza, Santacroce, Coda, Mesbah, Ampuero, Galloppa, Morrone, Strasser, Ninis, Boniperti, Biabiany.
Trainer: Roberto Donadoni.
Unavailable: MacEachen, Mariga, Palladino.
Disqualified: Paddle (1).
Beware: Galloppa, Coda, Samson, Gobbi, Benalouane, Lucarelli.
Referee: Antonio Damato (Barletta).
Line Assistants: Sparrows – Costanzo.
Port Assistants: DiBello – Fabbri.
Fourth official: The fortress.
