How Walter Mazzarri has transformed Inter

A disappointing campaign under Andrea Stramaccioni, saw Inter finish ninth and fail to qualify for Europe last year. Ever since then, Massimo Moratti has had to make a few big decisions and one of those involved finding the right man to take over from Stramaccioni.

With Napoli deciding to bring the curtain down on Walter Mazzarri’s reign, Moratti was quick to pounce on this window of opportunity and Inter haven’t looked back ever since.

Whilst some might argue that Stramaccioni had a lot of injuries to contend with and, was just a young manager trying to make his mark, the fact is that he never quite got going. The Inter side of last year, were in a state of constant flux and never really looked in control. Whilst they were, no doubt, a side in transition, that still doesn’t explain how a club, who were champions of Europe barely three years ago, couldn’t even qualify for the Europa League.

Ever since Walter Mazzarri has taken over the reins, the Nerazzurri have undergone a sea of change. They look a lot more confident and assured on the ball. Even Andrea Rannochia, a defender who looked very shaky and low on confidence during Stramaccioni’s reign, has become a player transformed under Mazzarri’s Nerazzurri.

Inter started the season playing a 3-5-1-1 formation and Rannochia, in particular, has looked supremely confident, winning almost everything in the air and has formed a beautiful understanding with both Juan Jesus and new recruit Hugo Campagnaro as a part of a three-man central defense. With Jonathan and Nagatomo as wing backs covering the full length of the pitch, Inter certainly aren’t lacking in width.

Such is the nature of fluidity in the current Inter side that, whilst they have scored 16, the leading assist maker is the left wing back Nagatomo. After starting the campaign on a high, Inter’s first real test came against Juventus and they passed that with flying colors, even though they only drew 1-1. It speaks volumes for how far Inter have come that, after the Juventus game, there a tinge of disappointment in the mixed area, when the Inter staff came out for the interviews.

In the game against Juventus, Inter really came of age and one player who has impressed one and all so far, has been Mauro Icardi. The Argentine forward has quickly become one of the hottest young talents in Italy and even opened the scoring in the game against the Bianconeri. In fact, when Vidal equalized for Juventus, it was only the first goal that the Nerazzurri had conceded in over 250 minutes of football this year and have conceded only two more ever since. And is a testament to how far the defense has come, barely a few months on from a disastrous Serie A campaign which saw leaking goals for fun.

Not only has Mazzarri’s methods managed to mould the defense, the attack too, is gradually taking shape. Ricardo Álvarez and Rodrigo Palacio are working well in tandem and their form has meant that Diego Milito, the architect of their Champions League victory three years ago, has been moved to the sidelines. The Argentine duo of Alvarez and Palacio have already managed to notch up five goals and four assists in just six Serie A games. And the versatility of Palacio in particular has meant that Mazzarri has more than a few tricks up his sleeve, in attack.

And with Icardi, slowly but surely fulfilling his potential, Inter are beginning to resemble Mazzarri’s lightning quick counter attacking front line, which took Serie A by storm, during his Napoli days. And although there is still a long way to go, Inter have had a promising start to the season, which sees them remain unbeaten after six games. The game against Roma, who are currently flying high and are top, is sure to provide a stern test for Mazzarri’s new look Inter.

But, one thing is for sure, as each week passes, every little piece is falling into place. And whether they can replicate the glory days of Jose Mourinho or not, they are certainly in a better position to do so, than they were this time last season.