Ex Inter Milan Coach Argues: ‘The Real Inter Was The Team That Faced Man City’ | OneFootball

Andrea Stramaccioni feels that the “real Inter Milan” was the team that drew with Man City in the Champions League.

The former Nerazzurri coach gave his thoughts in an interview published in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Inter’s last couple of matches have been a real study in contrasts.

The Nerazzurri secured a hard-fought draw away to Manchester City in their Champions League opener.

Considering the quality of the opposition, this looked like a very significant result for Inter.

But then in the derby against an AC Milan team who had struggled badly at the start of the season, the Nerazzurri floundered to defeat.

Meanwhile, prior to the City clash, Inter’s form in Serie A had been somewhat mixed.

Inter got a businesslike win over Lecce and thrashed Atalanta 4-0. But in both of their away matches they had to settle for a point, against Genoa and Monza.

Stramaccioni: “The Real Inter Was The Team That Faced Man City”

Naturally, the derby loss to Milan has raised questions about Inter’s from.

Coming right after a statement performance against City, the worries have started to creep in that the Nerazzurri could return to the kind of erratic performances that marked the 2022-23 season.

But former Inter coach Stramaccioni believes that they can sustain the level they produced against City.

Asked whether the City clash or the derby represented the “real Inter” former Nerazzurri coach Stramaccioni answered “the team in Manchester.”

“The issue is a mental one,” he analyzed. “And dealing with higher expectations.”

“The past two seasons have been very different. In 2022-23, with Napoli running away with the title, Inter had a league season that wasn’t up to par but a mentally extraordinary Champions League.”

“Last season was the opposite,” Stramaccioni continued. “Mind, heart, and soul all on the Scudetto. But a bitter early elimination in Europe.”

“This is the first season where Inter feel obliged to be strong across both competitions, due to the quality and depth of their squad.”

“There’s a mental step that Inter have to take, as a coach and club,” Stramaccioni argued.

Meanwhile, the former coach gave his thoughts on the goal drought of Inter captain Lautaro Martinez. “We’re talking about the best finisher in Serie A,” he said.

“And one of the best in the world.”

“Lautaro has paid the price for the Copa America,” Stramaccioni argued. “And a start to the season where he played despite not being at top condition.”