Inter end season on a high

Samuel Eto’o was Inter’s hero as he scored a brace to help the Nerazzurri beat Palermo 3-1 in the Coppa Italia final. It was Inter’s fourth Italian cup success in the last six years.

Sunday’s showdown at the Olympic Stadium, which brought the curtains down on the 2010/11 season, was an entertaining, open encounter with the result in the balance for most of the game.

Palermo, seeking to win the first major trophy in the club’s 113-year history, were no pushovers for their more-quoted opponents as they pressed hard to break down Inter’s defence.

On the night though, Inter proved to be worthy winners, considering that they took their scoring chances and were solid in all departments, something they had failed to show in most of their games this season.

This time last year, Inter had just completed an unprecedented treble of Serie A title, Coppa Italia and Champions League – their first in 45 years. This season, Inter also achieved a treble, albeit a less prestigious one, as they lifted the Italian Supercup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Coppa Italia.

Although Inter have, by general consensus, failed to reach their important objectives this season, Sunday’s victory is a boost for the former Italy champions as they plan a fresh challenge for the top trophies next season.

Reports suggest that Inter chief Massimo Moratti has confirmed coach Leonardo for next season. It is to be said that, despite clinching the Italian Supercup and Club World Cup under Rafa Benitez, Inter looked to be heading nowhere under Leonardo’s predecessor.

By December, a coaching change seemed inevitable and under their new Brazilian mentor, Inter gained 53 points in 23 games (an average of 2.3 points per game) as opposed to Benitez’s meagre record of 23 points in 15 games (1.53 points per game).

Thus, Inter showed significant progress under Leonardo but it was still not enough for them to stop eternal rivals Milan from running away with the Serie A title.

Under Leonardo, Inter were soft in defence and this sparked strong criticism of the Brazilian in his first five months in charge.

A characteristic of title-winning sides is their ability to keep clean sheets and have a sound defence. Under Leonardo, Inter struggled at the back as the Brazilian seemed to prefer style over substance.

Milan finished six points ahead of their rivals in the final Serie A standings.

Inter had a better scoring record as they hit four goals more than Milan but conceded 18 more than the newly-crowned champions.

Another notable difference between the two teams was that Inter suffered no fewer than seven defeats away from home while Milan only lost two.

Now that Leonardo is all but assured of keeping his job for next season, he should adopt a more pragmatic approach and build his new-look Inter side on solid defensive foundations.

There are no two ways about it. Either Leonardo revises his tactics or Inter are doomed to fail again next season.

With some minor alterations to Inter’s gameplan and the addition of some top-level signings, this group of players can bring Inter more success, starting from next season.