Crazy Inter is back! Able to go down by two goals after a half and then, one step away from the abyss, to get up and catch a draw which, given how it was, can only be welcomed. The Nerazzurri are confirmed as a sick team, but there is a desire to heal and this is very important. It is no coincidence that we saw that ability to react completely lost during the Mazzarri era, which allowed a semi-comeback when no one was hoping for it anymore. In short, lights and shadows and never as in this case does the concept also apply to the coach. Roberto Mancini tried to amaze everyone with an unprecedented formation (4-4-2 with tall wingers Nagatomo and Guarin) then, put down by Lazio in all respects, he had the intelligence (and humility) to change as usual 4-3-1-2. “The form doesn't change much – however the Nerazzurri coach defended himself. – The solution from the first half could have been a good solution, but it's clear that if you score after 2' things change…”. Yes, because the match immediately went badly, very badly indeed. Not even time to sit down in an armchair and Inter are already down. Merit of Felipe Anderson, but also the fault of Ranocchia, in a "beautiful statuette" version in front of the Brazilian's dribbling. Despite this, the Nerazzurri maneuver has its own reason, but the problem is the defensive phase. In the 37th minute Juan Jesus, perhaps in order not to disfigure his captain excessively, lets himself be "birded" by Felipe Anderson himself, increasingly in control of Lazio after Candreva's injury. The Brazilian chills Handanovic with extreme, almost negligible ease, which unleashes the anger of the chilled San Siro crowd.
“Looking at the goals, you immediately understand that there isn't a tactical problem – Mancini thought. – Unfortunately we make individual mistakes, but I had anticipated them. When I arrived, I certainly didn't think that, in a month, we would become Barcelona or Bayern Munich..." For now it's enough to play Inter, in the sense of putting everything on the pitch. And evidently, during the interval, the Nerazzurri looked at each other and decided that no, 2014 just can't end like this. The approach in the second half is decidedly different, not so much as regards the phrasing (that, after all, had been there before), but for the competitive wickedness. Inter tore the field to such an extent that Lazio, who owned the field until a few minutes earlier, never left their own half. To reopen the match, however, a goal is needed, possibly a great goal, and here is Kovacic taking the chair. The Croatian, following the development of a corner, invents a wonderful right-footed volley, which Marchetti can only touch before seeing him finish in the net (66'). It's the key episode, the one that restores confidence in the team and the stadium. In fact, Lazio felt the pinch and, in the 80th minute, collected the inevitable equalizer. Palacio marks it, which is released after a fast of over 7 months (moreover the last goal had arrived against the biancocelesti) with a paw on an assist from D'Ambrosio. The finale was for strong hearts and Inter even came close to winning with Kovacic, whose header was deflected for a corner by Marchetti. It would have been too much because, on balance, a draw is the fairest result. Now everyone is on vacation, except sporting director Piero Ausilio. It will be up to him to please Mancini in the winter market, considered of primary importance to really aim for third place. Which, classification in hand, is still without a master. One more reason to try, whatever the cost.
