The Inter preparing for the Australian derby against Milan is profoundly different compared to twelve months ago. A year ago, the Nerazzurri were coming off the dramatic final in Monaco, with Cristian Chivu called upon to start again from a complicated moment. Today, the team presents itself as reigning champion with the league and Coppa Italia double in the trophy cabinet.
The Romanian coach faces the derby with the goal of beating it for the first time as Nerazzurri manager. The new status leads him to be more outspoken about the transfer market, without raising his voice but making the needs clear. The statement about the still missing right winger after the penalty shootout win over City (“You can see it too…”) is an example.
The adaptation of Diouf on the wing remains an option because the Frenchman knows how to cut inside and take on his opponent, but a more explosive profile is needed. Not by chance, Moussa Diaby is back in the spotlight, with Nico Gonzalez liked as an alternative. The arrival of John Stones has patched up the departures of Acerbi and De Vrij, but the Englishman’s tendency to get injured does not make him the pillar of the future.
The real target for defense remains Cristian Romero: the agreement with Tottenham for 40 million is there, they are waiting for the Argentine to lower his wage demands from 6.5 million. In midfield, the object of desire for months has been Curtis Jones from Liverpool. With the confirmation of Stankovic‘s qualities, the budget still untouched, and the income from the likely sales of Frattesi, perhaps Pavard and certainly Asllani (maybe in the Diaby deal), the Premier League-style Inter wanted by Chivu would be ready to fulfill its mandate as the team to beat.
The reference to English football is not accidental. The two home defeats to Liverpool and especially Arsenal in the last Champions convinced the coach of the need to increase intensity, to make the difference in direct clashes not only in Serie A but also in Europe.
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