After firing Gian Piero Gasperini, Inter spun the wheel of Italian managers and it landed on Claudio Ranieri. To be fair there’s only like 8 or 9 names on that wheel. This is the seventh Serie A side Ranieri has managed.
Can Ranieri find the proper shape for Inter?
Will it make any difference? You know that Ranieri won’t hesitate to shake up the side, but if that’s received as well as it was at Roma and if it doesn’t get results, could he potentially face the axe as well?
This is where I think Inter have painted themselves into a corner. Gasperini’s results were terrible it’s true. If I were an Inter fan, God forbid, I’d be calling for his sacking just as vocally as true Nerazzurri supporters.
But if Ranieri fails to get results, will they get rid of him to? That’s getting into Palermo territory.
Ranieri is a name manger, but a real gamble. His reputation was made in the early nineties when he secured successive promotions for Cagliari to bring them to Serie A, helmed Napoli, and won a Serie B title and Coppa Italia with Fiorentina.
Neither of his latest ventures with Juventus or Roma could be called substantial successes. He can be contentious with administrators, players, fans, and the media.
I believe that Inter are a club that needs serious rebuilding. But there are few long term commitments in Serie A managing these days. Ranieri must win and win now, with the still significant talent he has inherited, or Inter’s season risks descending into catastrophe.
Major Storylines: Genoa Up On Top
Who’da thunk it? I predicted Genoa to match their usual solid, middle of the table performance again this term.
But after 3 matches Il Grifone sits in first on top of bianconeri pair Juventus and Udinese. After what was still probably a disappointing draw with Atalanta in their opener, they beat Lazio in Rome and simply overpowered Catania in the midweek.
Theire defense has been a strength in the past, but their offense may finally be ready to do its part as well. Caracciolo was a great pickup from Brescia and Rodrigo Palacio will be very dangerous if he continues to show his real scoring touch.
Alessandro Matri's WAG, Federica Nargi. Ok, you can keep reading now…
They face Chievo, who showed themselves quite capable in beating Napoli on Wednesday, but I think Genoa will find a way to stay on top for another week.
Real Test For High-Flying Viola
Fiorentina look good, but wins oven Bologna and Parma aren’t enough to convince me.
Udinese beat them fairly comfortably in week 2, and facing Napoli away from home is a whole other challenge.
Fiorentina’s aggressiveness may work against them in this match and their backline will really be put to the test by the likes of Cavani and Lavezzi. Captain Gamberini and partner Natali, in for the injured Kroldrup, will have to be rock solid in the back if Fiorentina want to shake the pretenders tag this weekend.
Can the Champions Wake Up?
2 points from 3 matches is not quite what Milan and their fans had in mind at the start of the campaign.
While they have played against solid to impressive teams (Lazio, Napoli, Udinese), these are games Milan found a way to win last year. It’s only 3 games into the season and every team has proven themselves fallible so far, so I’m not panicking.
But they’ve caught the injury bug again with Ibra struggling for fitness and Pato out for about a month again.
El Sharaawy gets his chance to shine next to Cassano and while I love the man, I didn’t expect to see as much Pippo as I think I might over the next few weeks.
They need to keep pace, and the worry will be real if they fail to do so hosting a Cesena club with zero points this weekend.
Player Spotlights
Rodrigo Palacio
The aforementioned Argentine is red hot for Genoa right now. With 3 goals and 3 assists, he has shouldered the load of being the Rossoblu’s attacking focal point for some time. Now that he has some help he might just be able to recapture the scoring form that secured his transfer from Boca Juniors in the first place.
Small and speedy, he’s a much different striker than his coutnerpart at the top of the scoring chart Cavani. He’ll do well to remain in the Napoli man’s company.
Nope, wait. He is just like Gattuso.
Antonio Nocerino
He’s like Gattuso but with some skill.
Ok so then he’s not that much like Gattuso at all.
But he’s filled that role well for the Rossoneri so far, working tirelessly in midfield and largely outshining fellow new signing Alberto Aquilani in that part of the field.
This could be a breakout season for the former Palermo workhorse, who surely has designs on making his way into the national team fold.
Juan Vargas
Jovetic has been getting most of the attention for La Viola, but Vargas is just as essential to Sinisa Mihajlovic’s outfit.
His speed and service in the midfield have been a vital asset in the Fiorentina midfield for a few years and if the strikers stay hungry for goals he will have no problem feeding them.
While the Peruvian may be called “El Loco”, he’s made himself a consistent presence in Serie A for over 5 years now.
Pick of the Week: Cagliari v. Udinese
Udinese have had a bright start of the season and despite losing to Palermo in the midweek the Sardinians will also be pleased with their efforts.
Cagliari are always stronger at home, and the Zebrette will have to be at their best to break them down on their island fortress.
Shall I go out on a limb and predict Di Natale to score? I shall.
But I’ll also take the Isolani to match him, with the match ending 2-2.
