Inter, rust remains. More pressing with Chivu but still many mistakes. Lautaro is the certainty

The California sun acts on a rust that is already present. Iron to be reshaped, not the hot one to be beaten until it is convenient. Inter is today a tired metal, which Chivu hammers for his first creation, bringing out a hybrid between the Inzaghi era and what will be. More pressure on the opponent, a zonal formation on set pieces (which works badly and in fact leads to a goal), an attempt on the run to switch to 3-4-2-1 to which the team reacts by losing a bit of distance, instead of cornering the Mexicans of Monterrey.

The 1-1 draw at the Rose Bowl, which hosted the Nerazzurri yesterday before the two matches in Seattle with Urawa Reds (June 21 at 21.00:26 p.m. Italian time) and River Plate (June 3.00 at XNUMX:XNUMX a.m.), is a disappointing epilogue, even with all the precautions applicable for a new coach's debut. In the judgment, we must take into account who we are facing. Sergio Ramos is still a defensive bulwark, Canales is a very good player (when his physique holds up) and Ocampos has a good European background. But the silverware ends here, the remaining troops at Torrent's disposal do not string together three consecutive passes. He builds his point, fundamental to believing in a miraculous passage to the eighth finals, on having made the most of a half-blunder by Sommer, after the trio Pavard-Bastoni-Acerbi did their part to pave the way for Ramos. He also hits the post with Canales and in the final moments does not collect a gift from the new Inter player Sucic, put wide by Deossa. On the other hand, he thanks the errors in shooting on the opposite side of Darmian, Esposito, Barella, Dimarco, Lautaro, Zalewski. Because despite its imperfections, Inter creates the conditions to wet Chivu's debut with success. "We lacked a bit of hunger", says the coach, who in the press conference is asked if there is not a bit of "embarrassment" in drawing with Monterrey, underlining the enormous gap between the rivals on the field.

It's exaggerated to cry shame, as if it were a Korea '66. The coach has noticed some good aspects: Asllani improving, Lautaro still scoring, Luis Henrique coming in showing flashes of personality. It is necessary to scratch away the worries resulting from the shock of April-May, unfortunate weeks in which we went from a possible Treble to zero titles. The minimum objective in the World Cup remains the eighth finals against one between Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund. Maybe adding Bonny, with Sebastiano Esposito ready as a partial counterpart for Parma. From June 27 to July 3, up to six elements can be changed. One could be in that department where Taremi, stuck in Iran, and the tired Thuram (flexors) are missing. Against the Urawa Reds, Lautaro and Esposito are confirmed, whose brother Francesco Pio could return among the available ones.