Five Things We Learned From Inter This Week: “What’s The Sense In Keeping Stefano Sensi?” | OneFootball

Newly crowned Supercoppa champions Inter extended their lead at the summit of Serie A thanks to a draw away in Bergamo at Atalanta and Spezia’s shock win over Milan on Monday night.

In a tough battle against Gasperini’s men, Inter extended their unbeaten run and kept in front of rivals chasing them.

Earlier on in the week Inter also clinched the Supercoppa thanks to a late winner from Alexis Sanchez in the final minute of extra time.

Here is what we learned from Inter this week.

1) Heroic Captain Samir Rolling Back The Years

Despite facing large criticism throughout much of this campaign, Samir Handanovic put in a vintage performance on Sunday evening.

Some superb saves from the likes of Mario Pasalic and Luis Muriel helped preserve a point for a tired looking Inter.

Whilst bringing in Andre Onana is without a doubt the right decision, it was really nice to see a truly magnificent display from a player who has given so much to this club over the past decade.

Il Capitano leading from the front.

2) Dependable Danilo

Much like the aforementioned Samir Handanovic, it was also good to see a reliable and dependable performance from another Inter old timer.

Solid at the back and a threat in the opposition box, Danilo D’Ambrosio was excellent for Inter in Bergamo in place of Stefan De Vrij.

A man who is capable of filling multiple roles in the squad and a dressing room leader who has recently committed his life to the club, D’Ambrosio continues to show his worth to the Nerazzuri.

3) What’s The Sense In Keeping Stefano Sensi?

Hakan Calhanoglu is Inter’s chief creative force in midfield with Nicolo Barella providing industry and Marcelo Brozovic dictating the pace of play.

An outstanding trio need back up that simply doesn’t appear to be reliable, especially in the case of Stefano Sensi.

The ex-Sassuolo man wasn’t even given chance on Sunday when Calhanoglu was replaced with manager Inzaghi preferring an ageing Arturo Vidal.

Obviously lacking the reliability that his manager craves, it is now time to move Sensi on to generate funds or in a makeweight for someone like Davide Frattesi.

It is a shame to see it look like this after what was a promising start to his Inter career.

4) Supercoppa Win A Real Shot In The Arm

Whilst the Supercoppa isn’t the most recognised trophy in world football it is certainly the icing on the cake for Inter.

A win over Juventus in any format is something to shout about, especially in the last minute of extra time.

In some ways it also represents the current shift in momentum towards Inter being fully recognised as Italy’s top side given that they now hold two out of three pieces of domestic silverware.

A big win for confidence and prestige indeed.

5) A Nice Couple Of Games Ahead Of Judgement Zone

A home game against Venezia before a trip to Genoa are Inter’s next two in the league following Wednesday’s Coppa Italia tie with Empoli at San Siro.

Two wins could see Inter stretch their lead at the summit depending on the results of their rivals around them.

However, more importantly, the set of fixtures after the aforementioned run is what needs to be in Inter’s vision.

Liverpool, Napoli, Milan in the space of ten days will truly shape Inter’s campaign, similarly to a spell of games they had in February last term in which they faced Milan, Juventus and Lazio that truly fired them into title mode.

Every game is three points needed but Inter must decide over the coming days how to treat the next three fixtures, knowing exactly what comes after those games.