THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
THE GOOD
After spending well in excess of €100m last
summer, it was Inter who were positioned
as Juventus’ main title challenger for the
2019-20 campaign. Coupled with the arrival
of Antonio Conte, the feel-good factor had
returned to Milan and in Romelu Lukaku, the
Italian tactician had finally got his man after
numerous attempts at former clubs.
The Nerazzurri remain in contention but
have been joined by Lazio in the battle to
usurp the Bianconeri at the top of the table.
At the beginning of February, the Aquile
had comfortably outscored both Juventus
and Inter, and it is easy to see why. Simone
Inzaghi lines his troops up in a tried and
tested 3-5-2, but this is no regular set up
with orthodox midfielders and wing-backs.
Sergej Milinković-Savić and Luis Alberto
play either side of Lucas Leiva but both are
arguably forwards, with ex-Liverpool ace
Alberto having been Ciro Immobile’s strike
partner in the previous season. Effectively,
Lazio have four attackers on the pitch every
week, and opposing sides simply cannot
handle the Aquile and it is testament to
Inzaghi’s ability as a coach that he has been
able to successfully field such an exciting
team without affecting the balance of the
side.
The champions, of course, will not need
reminding of their 3-1 defeat in December
against the capital club in which they
were comprehensively outplayed from the
opening whistle. In addition, Lazio won the
Supercoppa later on that month much to
the fury of Cristiano Ronaldo and company.
Even more remarkable was the 11-game
winning run Lazio embarked on from
October to January, which propelled them
in to unlikely contention.
Ultimately, Maurizio Sarri’s squad may have
too much for both Inter and Lazio, but the
Aquile are a young and developing group
and a strong conclusion to the term will
ensure they are rightly considered in the
running, along with the Nerazzurri and
Scudetto holders, next year.THE BAD
Prior to his departure in 2014, Antonio
Conte famously said: “Well, you cannot
go to eat at a €100 restaurant with just
€10 in your pocket, can you?” This was
in reference to the Bianconeri hierarchy’s
alleged refusal to back their coach in the
transfer market but the fiery Lecce native
cannot make the same claims of his current
employer.
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta signed, sealed
and delivered Romelu Lukaku, Valentino
Lazaro – who Conte subsequently shippedAt the beginning of
February, the Aquile
had comfortably
outscored both
Juventus and Inter,
and it is easy to see
why. Simone Inzaghi
lines his troops up
in a tried and tested
3-5-2.