INTERNAZIONALE FC SEASON 2011 2012
Last Season: 2nd
Coach: Gianpiero Gasperini
Squad Analysis: What an eventful season for my beloved Inter. To summarize we had a poor season, even if we still did win 3 trophies. There was no stability or control at any point during our campaign and that transpired into an inconsistent season. In goals we have Julio Cesar, considered one of the worlds best but he was poor last year. Viviano's now come in and he will put pressure on the Selecao no.1 and hopefully spur him on. In defence Maicon provides those lung bursting runs from the right back. Hes almost like a right winger but his past season wasn't good, the match against Bale is evident of this where the Welshman absolutely demolished him. Lucio and Samuel are still IMO the best centre back pairing in the world even if they are getting on in age. They were both injured last year and that impacted severely on our campaign. The deputies Materazzi, Cordoba and Ranocchia were all woeful last year when they filled in. Christian Chivu and Nagatomo fight it out for the left back spot, with the Japanese proving the better outlet IMO, and he will continue to improve.
In the midfield, Inter remain strong. Motta, Stankovic, Kharja, Cambiasso and the captain Javier 'The Tractor' Zanetti provide the energy and power in the midfield. Motta is our deep lying playmaker, Cambiasso the anchor and the evergreen Zanetti the box to box midfielder. In front of them is our link man and creative outlet Wesley Sniejder. Were a totally different team with the Dutchman in our team, hes a sensational player hopefully he will stay. Up front we have some good options with proven goalscorers Pazzini, Diego Milito and Sammy Eto'o providing the firepower. Milito will be looking to have a better season than last while the other two will try and continue their good form from last year. Pandev is another option, but he might be allowed to move after an underpar campaign from the Macedonian. We have two outstanding attacking prospects in the Brazilian Coutinho who some might know from the game against Spurs where he was excellent and the recently purchased Luc Castaignos from Feyenoord. Santon is also highly rated but he has been poor for the past seasons.
Gasperini has a big job to do, but I think he will do just fine. Some are saying he might adopt his 3-4-3 system which would be interesting with the players we have at our disposal. Sneijder and Eto have been tipped to leave, but they will stay. We need some fresh blood in though, and I can see a mini clear out happening with a few buys coming in. Nagatomo and Viviano have joined permanently while Muntari returns from a loan spell at Sunderland - though he will be sold, a truly dreadful player. Reports are saying that Arsenal target Ricky Alvarez is joining from Velez for 11 million, while the Genoa president has confirmed we are in negotiations with Palacio. I want a big signing, realistically either Neymar or Aguero - both players we can get. Alberto Aquilani is another who might be available that we should pursue.
Player to Watch: WESLEY SNIEJDER - Wes will have a big campaign this year and hopefully can spur us to domestic and European glory. Last season he showed glimpses as he was constantly injured, but he still has the quality to influence games and is a proven big match player. He has unbelievable vision and can pass and shoot from distance with either foot. Always probing and looking to make inroads in the opposition defence, he has done it against Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern and Milan in the last couple of years. The fans love him and he loves the fans, I cant see him leaving the San Siro this season. Hopefully he teaches Coutinho a few tricks as well as he is another terrific youngster that should see more playing time this year and will shine.