Pazza Inter: Is This The Year of the Nerazzuri?

Inter Milan came from two goals down at the Stadio San Nicola to complete another remarkable turnaround as they drew 2-2.

Last week Giancarlo Rinaldi debated whether Inter's win against Siena was just good fortune or Mourinho's brilliance. But Inter's comeback against Bari proved yet again that this year's team don't die easy.

Inter 's Serie A domination of recent years has been put down by many as a by product of the Calciopoli scandal that erupted four years ago.

People have quoted Inter's performance in Europe as evidence that the team is only good on the Italian front and thus still lacks quality.

But this year there seems to be that extra bit in the Nerazzurri that pushes them further. The win against Siena last week was the third time that Inter had won a game in the last five minutes.

Tonight the team went down to two penalties in the space of three minutes but found enough energy to get two back almost immediately. And had Leonardo Bonucci been sent off, Inter might have gone home with three points.

The Nerazzuri are clearly struggling at the moment with many injuries but their ability to grind out positive results has to be appreciated.

Never-Say-Die

Inter have been totally "Pazza" this year as has been witnessed by their performances against Palermo, Dynamo Kyiv and Siena.

The early season victory against Udinese which came through an injury time Sneijder goal set the tone.

Apart from the three times when Inter have been beaten this season, the team seems to go for victory on all occasions, the exception obviously being the game against Barca.

Even in Europe during the draw's with Kyiv and Rubin Kazan the team left itself vulnerable at the back in its chase for the three points.

If Inter can keep up the same attitude it wouldn't be a surprise if they are to pick up their five consecutive (fourth on the pitch) Scudetto come May.

What would be expected by the fans all over would be for the team to transmit its domestic form to the continental stage.

European Woes

Everyone is all too familiar with Inter's troubles in Europe by now. The team has failed to get past the first knockout phase for three years in a row.

Elimination at the hands of Manchester United proved to be the Italian's undoing last term and this year they are set to take on Chelsea .

Though a lot was made out of Inter's European exit last year it has to be said that the team wasn't as terrible as it seemed in the media.

The group stages might have been horrible but Inter gave a good account of themselves at Old Trafford and were twice denied by the post.

This year's return to England should be all the more 'Special' as Jose Mourinho is set to meet his former club for the first time since he was sacked.

However Mourinho's knowledge of his former team is cancelled out by Ancelotti's familiarity with Inter. So everyone starts on a level footing.

The Weak Link

Where I feel the game would be one or lost would be Inter's left flank - a position which is in serious need of reinforcements.

Today's game was more evidence of that gap in the field which was exposed time and again.

Ashley Cole and Maicon will tend to cancel each other out on one flank and it would thus be the other one where the game will be decided.

If Davide Santon can return to his form from last year it would suit Inter, if not they NEED Aleksandr Kolarov.

The other area where Inter need to act on in the transfer window is the defensive midfield position. Esteban Cambiasso makes for an isolated figure at the moment and using Thiago Motta is a huge risk considering his misfiring form.

If Inter can get hold of Ledesma before the end of the month it would just make things that much more easier for Mourinho.

Sneijder Effect

IF the Dutchman manages to keep fit for the rest of the season, Inter can seriously start thinking of achieving the unthinkable this season.

Sneijder is proving to be a real match-winner and even in today's game where he was generally quiet it was his pass to Pandev which resulted in a penalty.

He is also excellent from set pieces and from anywhere within 30m of goal he has to be considered a real threat.

Inter haven't lost a game he has been a part off and that just goes to show the kind of dependence the Nerazzurri have on him.

It is clear that the 4-2-3-1 is working well going forward but needs two defensive central midfielders who can plug the hole effectively.

When Eto'o is back expect him to take up one of the flanks in place of Mario Balotelli as Pandev is also the type of workhorse Mourinho prefers.

I am just going to stick my neck out an say it—IF Inter get past Chelsea in the UCL, they might just go and do it this season.