Before turning the page to the next league match against Como, let’s close the midweek round of the Coppa Italia with a further analysis of what may have gone unnoticed from the match at San Siro. Here are ‘5 things you may not have seen in Inter-Venezia 5-1′.
1) After the match, Chivu revealed a detail that may have escaped most: Frattesi is still dealing with some minor physical problems, not always publicly disclosed. And that’s why his playing time and inconsistent performances shouldn’t be read only as ‘technical choices’. Yet the stats show that, even against Venezia, Frattesi was among the most active in vertical progressions and offensive recoveries, confirming how useful he is when he gets into rhythm. But the point is another: are the hierarchies being redefined? Because while Frattesi is still looking for consistency, the midfield is starting to get crowded.
2) It was known that he would return gradually, but perhaps not that it would take less than half an hour to see him back at his level. In 45 minutes, Mkhitaryan was already among the best in the match for: key passes, accuracy in the final third, and creating numerical superiority. Ok, the opponent wasn’t the toughest in the world. But the message is loud and clear: the old Professor is still here. And while Mkhitaryan rises, someone else drops: Sucic takes another step back, little involved and not very incisive. The crowding is getting serious: Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Zielinski, Frattesi, Sucic… someone risks losing their spot. Will there be a small revolution in the rotations?
3) The idea of the inverted-foot winger intrigued everyone: Luis Henrique on the left and Diouf on the right. The Brazilian was elegant with some good plays, but still timid. For the Frenchman, an increasingly authoritative impact, he unlocked the match, came close to a brace, and grows game after game. But the real question is another: who will play on the right against Como and Liverpool? Because Dumfries has already said he will be out, Darmian seems to have disappeared into the Stranger Things upside down, Carlos Augusto on the right works ‘so-so’. Diouf gives more guarantees, but is it fair to ask everything of him already? The answer is not so obvious. And today’s match further complicates Chivu‘s choice.
4) A bit of healthy excitement is justified. Pio Esposito scores in the Coppa Italia as well and becomes the only Inter player with goals in all competitions: league, Champions, Club World Cup, and Coppa Italia. A stat that speaks to his boldness and his presence in important matches. But there’s a detail that may have gone unnoticed: after the goal, he runs to the bench, where everyone was already waiting in line to hug him. An image that says a lot: about how much he is part of the group, how much his teammates believe in him, and how much his growth is shared by everyone.
5) Valentin Carboni was seen again, back in the starting lineup with Genoa for just one half. And here comes a mischievous question, but not so far-fetched: if at Genoa he continues not to play and if Inter still has an emergency on the right wing… could he be the ‘fifth’ with an inverted foot? It’s a remote hypothesis, but not impossible: he has dribbling, creativity, shooting, and that ability to move inside-out that, on the inverted foot, could also work. Maybe it’s just an idea. Or maybe this last Coppa Italia round gave us a few more clues…
