Inter seek home comfort

By Ivan Carvalho

In the early months of the 2004/05 season, FC Internazionale Milano have emerged as the reverse Arsenal FC.

Contrasting fortunes 
While the Gunners have famously faltered in translating their domestic brilliance on to the European arena, Inter, who have advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with two matches to spare, have are already well off the pace in Serie A.

Impressive start
In many respects, Roberto Mancini’s reign has started impressively with Juan Sebastián Verón and Edgar Davids blending to good effect in midfield on their return to Italy, while Adriano, his dismissal last week apart, continues to look the best striker on the planet. Add in Champions League progress and the only unbeaten start in Serie A and everything looks rosy for the Nerazzurri.

Zanetti explains
However, that unbeaten league run breaks down into eight draws and just two wins, leaving Inter eleven points adrift of leaders Juventus FC. Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Valencia CF last week, veteran captain Javier Zanetti put his side's success in the Champions League down to the more intensive nature of the competition. He said: "With six games, every team has to go for it. We are showing more confidence and are conceding less space to our opponents."

Excelling in Europe
That approach has seen Inter excel in the Champions League. Wins against Werder Bremen and RSC Anderlecht were followed by a magnificent display at the fortress that is the Mestalla stadium, as Mancini's men hit five second-halfgoals in a 5-1 victory against Valencia. The tactically disciplined draw that followed against the Spanish champions subsequently sealed Inter's progress to the knockout stages with ten goals scored and just one conceded in four games.

Verón view
Zanetti's compatriot Verón, back to his best in Italy after unsuccessful spells with Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC, shared his explanation for the contrast between Inter's domestic and European form. He said: "In this competition you have to take risks since only two teams will advance. We have been more attentive and have found less difficulty in dealing with teams in Europe than in the Italian league where teams don't risk as much against us. This time out against Valencia we were again successful as we didn't concede a goal and were very good at closing them down in attack."

Losing leads
Inter's inability to hold on to leads has been their biggest Serie A problem and they have let the advantage slip in six matches already this season. Verón, however, refused to be overly concerned by such statistics. "I think that we need to forget about these, remain relaxed and just continue to move forward," he said. 

Renewed focus
Coach Mancini, who failed to make a winning return to Florence on Sunday as Inter continued their run with another draw against ACF Fiorentina, is hoping that a more focused Inter can return to winning ways in Serie A. He said: "Now that we have qualified for the next round of the Champions League we have to concentrate on the league. We must improve if we want to get results."

Mancini hopeful
And the former S.S. Lazio coach believes that Inter have the resources to improve significantly, saying: "The team is still the same. In the championship perhaps there is less attention being paid and a little more bad luck, but things will work themselves out. We have the quality to do a lot better."