Catania vs. Inter: 6 Things We Learned

The roller coaster at Inter continues. Hammered by Fiorentina and denied in the derby by Milan, there was talk of another crisis at Inter. That talk has now been put on hold. 

Seemingly beyond hope with 20 minutes to go, Andrea Stramaccioni's side conjured up the unlikeliest of victories against an in-form Catania as goals from Ricardo Alverez and Rodrigo Palacio overturned strikes from Catania's Gonzalo Bergessio and Giovanni Marchese.

So what can we take from it all?

It's Been Said Before, but Rodrigo Palacio Is a Classic Game Changer

With Antonio Cassano going crazy and Diego Milito out with a nasty injury, Inter are looking a little light up front these days. But Rodrigo Palacio is on the form of his life—and looks like he can carry Inter's goal requirements single-handedly. 

Two goals down with 20 minutes to go, away from home in Sicily, Inter were as good as dead. But super-sub Palacio snatched victory from the jaws of defeat—and not for the first time this season proved that his acquisition from Genoa was one of the buys of the summer. 

Palacio only has 10 Argentina caps to his name, and at 31, is unlikely to earn many more. But make no mistake about it, an awful lot of lesser players have lined out for the Albiceleste. Argentina's loss might be Inter's gain, because if they can keep him fit and in this shape, Palacio could be leading the lines for years to come in Milan. 

Inter Might Not 'Need' Antonio Cassano ...

Until Palacio intervened, the decision to leave Antonio Cassano out of Inter's squad looked like managerial suicide on the part of Stramaccioni. 

The bust-up between the coach and Cassano remains the subject of much discussion in Italy, following reports that the pair had to be physically separated in the Inter dressing room during training. 

The reason behind the row is not yet clear, as Cassano has been a popular and constant figure in the Inter squad since joining from rivals AC Milan. He was, however, dropped ahead of the trip to Catania.

Fantantonio provides sublime link-up play and an abundance of creativity whenever he plays, and the Nerazzurri looked in desperate need of both against Catania. 

In the end, the win proved that Inter can do it without their most naturally gifted—and most naturally controversial—player. Even if they didn't want to. 

... but They'll Want Him Badly

"From now until the end of the season," said Andrea Stramaccioni after the win, "We need everyone. That includes Cassano."

The Roman coach insisted that Cassano had not been dropped following their reported row, but few believe that to be true. With his point made and an unlikely victory in the bag, however, Strama will now hope that Cassano can forgive and forget. 

The Nerazzurri can still qualify for the Champions League, even if there's no shortage of competition this season and the chances now seem slim. To achieve that lofty goal, Stramaccioni will need all of his players on form and in line. And as the squad's most gifted player, Cassano can set the standard. 

Because Europe Is Still Wide Open in Serie A

With 11 games to go in the league, Inter can still dream of Champions League qualification—for now. 

The Nerazzurri are only a point behind cross-town rivals AC Milan in third, and still have several crunch matches to go. Chief among these ties will be the May meeting with Napoli, who lay in second right now. This game is a classic "six-pointer," and it will be a something the Inter squad will be aiming to make the most of. 

Elsewhere, the distraction of a Coppa Italia final and continued commitment to the Europa League might prove their downfall, as Lazio, Fiorentina and Roma are not far behind. 

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter's young sensation Ezequiel Schelotto said: "We are working hard to ensure Inter earns the Champions League place it deserves." It is still possible, but they'll have to work very hard indeed. 

This Could Be a Turning Point in the Season—but for Catania, Not Inter

Only the bravest commentator would declare this win a definitive turning-point in Inter's topsy-turvy season, but it might just be a key moment in that of Catania.

Last season, Vincenzo Montella took the Sicilians to a record league finish—one that they can actually better in 2013. But perhaps overwhelmed by the prospect of playing in Europe, the Elefanti buckled under pressure from Inter and could now face a crisis of confidence for the rest of the season. 

Speaking after the game, Rolando Maran said: 

"

It’s such a shame about this comeback. Perhaps we should’ve kept the ball better, but we always tried to score a third goal. We had a few great scoring opportunities and tried to kill off the game, but unfortunately we were unable to take those chances. I don’t think this is a deserved defeat. I think if we had been able to finish off the match earlier, then Inter could not have complained.

"

The former defender will now have to remind his players of what's got them so high in the table and eliminate any signs of creeping self-doubt by inspiring them to a win as soon as possible. That won't be easy, because they've got Juventus, Udinese and Lazio up next. 

IF They Can Weather the Storm, All Is Not Lost for Catania

No side wants to face Juventus, Udinese and Lazio after a difficult and unlikely home defeat, but those are the breaks for Catania. 

If they can weather the oncoming storm, there'll be hope on the horizon for not only a decent finish in the league, but also European qualification.

The Champions League is beyond their capabilities, but the Europa League looks very achievable as long as they don't completely derail in the coming weeks. The season closes out with games against struggling sides like Pescara, Torino, Siena, Chievo Verona and fellow Sicilians Palermo—so there are still plenty of points to be had.