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Inter Milan Report Card: The Nerazzurri's Serie A season so far
 By Richard Hall
ESPN FC's Craig Burley joins Alexis Nunes to discuss the Europa League draw and which British sides need to take this competition seriously.
With Serie A winding down for the winter break, how have Inter Milan fared so far, and can this fallen giant awaken in the second half of the campaign?
Grade: D
Your Season So Far -- In A Sentence
This season started in a turgid manner, with the team showing no effort or desire, but mild improvements have been made since.
Highlight
The highlight of the season has been the return of Roberto Mancini. The Inter manager has lifted the spirits of all associated with the Nerazzurri and has been the only real ray of light in a season that has been marred by inconsistency and incompetence. Former manager Walter Mazzarri continually failed to get the best out of his players, and when the change came, it did so just in time.
Since then, Mancini has gotten rid of the 3-5-2 formation and has been constantly searching to get the best out of his players. Although the job at hand is huge, he is keeping Inter's hopes of European football barely alive. Should he be given some financial backing in the transfer widow to add some depth to the squad, the season may not yet be a washout. Europa League progression also has given Mancini the ability to fight on three fronts, and with his experience at Inter he will know where the club and its fans expect to be.
Nobody in Milan expects Mancini to work miracles, but at the same time there is now a plan and a direction that was absent before his arrival.
Low Point
The low point of the season was every game that passed under Mazzarri. Each one got progressively worse and the team was constantly found wanting. Even more frustrating was the fact that Mazzarri had no idea how to fix it. Inter repeatedly went into battle fielding the same team with the same tactics and in the same broken formation. This purgatory was made worse every time the team took to the field.
Mazzarri failed to identify that the back three was certainly a mistake. The players were not communicating on the pitch and looked lost. The tempo of the game was notoriously slow and the squad developed a fear and began to play within themselves. Mazzarri also failed to get the best out of Mauro Icardi and constantly failed to use Mateo Kovacic to such an extent that he could have been accused of being negligent.
The players did like him but the frustrated and animated figure he cut on the touchline just amplified how out of his depth he had become.
Roberto Mancini has work to do in order to restore Inter to their former glories.
Surprise Star
The surprise star for Inter this season has actually only played nine times for the Nerazzurri this term. Danilo D'Ambrosio sustained an injury that saw him sit out of a large part of the season. Even so, his performances in the Europa League have been outstanding and his Serie A form has looked very steady. He could have a large part to play in the season now that he can return to the full back position and has a chance to become a very important player for Inter.
D'Ambrosio is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and enjoys running at the opposition. He also has an eye for a pass and when he gets in the position he will also often try and grab the odd goal. He has two goals from right back this term and they have both come in the Europa League. At 26 the former Torino man has a real chance to establish himself as a must pick in Mancini's set up. He is one of only a few players who has looked like he is trying to take responsibility this season and if he can stay fit, his stock will only rise as the year continues.
Must Do Better
Rodrigo Palacio is normally a constant threat, a ray of light and very dangerous opponent. The Nerazzurri have been rescued by the Argentine time after time and have relied on his goals and contribution over the years. Now, however, the goals have dried up and the performances are lacking in effort and dynamism. Has the 32-year-old started to deteriorate, or is this just a blip in form?
The defensive contribution he normally offers has deteriorated, the chances are few and the determination just does not seem to be there. It would be a sad end for such a talented player if his career fizzles out and there was a glimpse of his prowess as he scored against Lazio on Sunday but such moments are now fleeting.
Palacio is a fan favourite and will no doubt be given more time. The Nerazzurri are used to relying on his tenacity when they have floundered before and he has obliged to save them. Perhaps it is a case that when he needs his team to help him, they have been found wanting.
Great Expectations
The transfer window holds the key. Working in financial fair play and managing to bring in the necessary players will be a tough ask. Should Mancini find a way to navigate this tricky course, then the most realistic hope is that Inter will continue to do well in the Europa League, finish in the European places in Serie A and do all they can in the Coppa Italia. Despite their terrible first half of the season, all is not lost.
 
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