Enthusiasm. Roberto Mancini repeated this word several times during the press conference, the first as coach of Inter bis. A kind of mantra that of the coach from Jesi, as if he wanted to convince himself of the goodness of his choice. But in fact the atmosphere around the Nerazzurri has changed dramatically, as if Mazzarri's ouster had erased all the problems with a swipe of the sponge. It's not like that but it doesn't matter: enthusiasm, among many other things, has the power to make beautiful what is not beautiful, even on one of the rainiest Saturdays in Milan. “Enthusiasm is the basis for winning again – explained Mancini in front of the packed press room in Appiano Gentile. – Now it's up to me to make sure that everything has a sequel, that the players can make it 200%”. A roar that shakes the Nerazzurri world at 360°, starting with the management.
“We thank Mazzarri for the work done but we want to bring the club back to the top of the world – the brief “epitaph” of the dg Michael Bolingbroke. – That's why we chose Mancini, he has international experience and victories ”. Expectations are very high, logical when you take over as the savior of the country, moreover with the most onerous three-year contract (net 4 million plus bonuses) in Serie A. Which, probably, will be followed by important market requests, as admitted, albeit between the lines, by Mancini himself. “It's not correct to talk about it now, first I have to get to know the squad better – the coach thought. – In football, however, it is normal to aim to win and to do so you have to give your best.
I spoke to Thohir and Moratti, I saw the Inter project and I believe in it”. A bit like ten years ago, when the current Nerazzurri minority shareholder (at the time president) chose him to crown his Scudetto dream. However, the analogies end here, partly because those times, economically speaking, were different times, partly to exorcise the specter of heated soup. “I was young then, for me it was the first call in a club like this – he continued. – On a technical level it is difficult to make comparisons, I must first get to know all the players well".
Yes, there's no getting around it: the fans (but also the managers) expect clear and precise ideas, on the field and on the transfer market. Mancini started right away by fielding his players (those who aren't away with the national teams obviously) with the 4-3-1-2 formation, a formation invoked by everyone after 16 months of Mazzaria's 3-5-2. However, the squad does not fully embrace the new needs, which is why Ausilio will be called to a good job in January, albeit with the hidden direction of Mancio. The names are already circulating: Kolarov or Clichy from Manchester City, Cerci from Atletico Madrid, Lamela from Tottenham, Borini from Liverpool. All wingers (some more, some less) technical and ductile, for a quick kick and ball on the ground the way he likes it. At the center of the project then there will be Kovacic and Guarin, the former never exploded with Mazzarri, the latter on the verge of leaving until the last day of the last transfer market. “Mateo can become a champion, I admire him so much but he still has to grow – Mancini's investiture. – Fredy is a very important player, you just need to understand what the right position is to make him perform at his best".
The feeling is that the man from Jesi will be much more than a coach, as if Thohir wanted to give him Inter (in its technical part of course) turnkey. Now begins the most difficult part, the one related to the field. In fact, the results will determine the possible goodness of a choice which, Thohir dixit, must necessarily lead to third place. We will start with Milan and Rome, just to spice up an already tasty dish from him. Because when Mancini and Inter meet, nothing is trivial, we've all understood this by now.
