Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Is the Inter Milan bandwagon starting to come off the rails?

What is going on at Internazionale (or Inter Milan) if you prefer. Sitting pretty at the top of Serie A, through to the last 4 of the Coppa Italia after defeating rivals Roma and two mouth watering Champions League ties against Manchester United to look forward to. Why does it seem Inter want to throw away what has the potential to be a bountiful season?

At the beginning of the Serie A campaign, Jose Mourinho took charge of an Inter side that looked destined to claim a fourth consecutive Scudetto, with Juventus still rebuilding, AC Milan looking a shambles and last season's nearly men, AS Roma unable to buy a win in the beginning of the season. Inter looked unstoppable at the top. But has Nerazzzuri bandwagon started to come of the rails?

A question I ask because of stumbling performances, a lack of squad harmony and a coach, in Jose Mourinho, who seems intent on clashing with every corner of the Calcio world, including his own president. Jose has insulted the media; Claudio Ranieri and more recently had a few choice words to say about criticism he received from Massimo Moratti (Inter President).

Further adding to his CV, Mourinho is now planning to sue a number of Italian publications that reported a dressing down of the Inter squad following the defeat to Atalanta in week 19. Allegedly, Jose condemned his team, stating they had not deserved any of their three previous consecutive Scudetto's. A statement he has denied.

What of the players? Inter seem extremely over reliant on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and with Adriano, Balotelli and Crespo ‘throwing the toys out the pram', can Inter afford to carry freeloaders? And how many last minute goals or ‘undeserved' 1-0 wins will they be able to grind out over an arduous season?

To my mind Jose Mourinho is creating the same ‘siege mentality' at Inter, just as he did during his Chelsea days. I also believe he will get the best out of misfiring Adriano, just as he did during the first few months of the season, and young Balotelli, only time will tell if he will pay attention to the wise words of Mourinho and work hard in training.

Juventus and AC Milan are keeping pace and are in better form. I ask you, will the pressure of these two giants lead to a capitulation similar to that which so nearly happened last season?

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