Inter Betting

In spite of winning the title, Inter disappointed

Even before the start of the championship, Inter were considered the absolute favourites in the race for the title; they won scudetto but with bitter taste. Not even the least objective fans can deny that their favourites reached the title thanks to the referees… There were many controversial decisions, against their rivals but the club from Milan secured their title only in the photo finish. If you add to it the shipwreck in Europe Massimo Moratti’s decision to sack Roberto Mancini is clear. Team played below their potential, relying on individual qualities of few players, first of all, Zlatan Ibrahimovic which is not enough to make a feat outside of Italian borders. Mourinho’s arrival started a new era in the club’s history, Portuguese coach, a trophy-winner will try to change his system from Chelsea but it won't be easy. Pressure is much higher, Inter is starting the new season with many uncertainties but they hope that injuries will pass them by, unlike last season. They have a very strong roster but Mancini’s problem was he couldn't keep discipline in the locker-room under control. He often had disputes with some players and couldn't deal with their vanity. Mourinho showed that he can handle such situations without much noise so we expect a completely different atmosphere in the club where all dirty laundry somehow gets out in public.

No one is impressed with the transfer window

The problem is that all of Inter’s goals are unrealistic. They failed to sign Lampard who was Mourinho’s key person in Chelsea so Muntari from Portsmouth was signed as a kind of compensation, a good player but not the kind to significantly improve team's play. The biggest problem over the last few years were wings, Figo is burdened by years and no one expects him to play on the same level in two games a week. Signing Mancini from Roma is at first sight a good thing but the Brazilian wasn't brilliant last season; he is a very difficult person and the question is how he will fit in. There is still no new on Quaresma’s transfer; the sum around 10 million is speculated and although Moratti announce transfer window closed, we are not sure that Mourinho is satisfied with what’s done. Another question is defense, Cordoba and Samuel will be back after serious injuries, the question is how their recovery will go… Portuguese coach has few other solutions but not Burdisso nor Materazzi are the players that guarantee security. When it comes to back-ups we shouldn’t forget Adriano; if they succeed in bringing him back to life it will be the biggest contribution for this team. The roster still makes Inter the strongest Serie A team but there are many uncertainties... A lot of gambling for the club that has a clear aim, not only to defend the title but finally lift the Champions League curse. New coach, who is undoubtedly one of the best in the world, makes fans’ expectations grow sky-high, but we get the impression that he expected more from the transfer window.

In

Mancini (Roma), Muntari (Portsmouth)

Out

Maniche, Cesar, Solari

Our tip

Alongside Milan, Inter are No 1 favourites for the title, everyone agrees with that. Still, the advantage for their city rivals is that they won’t be playing in the Champions League. The other club’s fans and some experts say that if Inter have referees on their side as last year, they can win lo scudetto even with the youth squad. This is a bit of exaggeration but the fact remains that they were favoured after calciopoli and that this is their advantage over the rivals. Perhaps Quaresma arrives till the end of the transfer window, and eventually another defender who would reinforce the back line. Mourinho won games with defensive approach, he is hoping that individual qualities of Ibrahimovic and Adrian will be enough for his squad to mark minimum wins. The preparations alone show that Portuguese coach won’t give up his recipe he had in Chelsea but the question is if it will work in Italy which is a weaker league and Mourinho have weaker players at his disposal as well. Anyway, Inter will end up in top 3, they could sacrifice domestic championship during spring to reach the trophy in the Champions League, but we'll see. There is no doubt they will seem tougher and more responsible than last season but they will score much harder. Anyway, a new era begins in the history of this promising club. But, nothing is certain when it comes to Inter. This is the biggest test for Mourinho’s career but also a turning point for Inter.

Our tip: Inter to score less than Milan
Odds 1.90
Bookmaker: Bet365