Is Winning the Scudetto This Year Realistic for Inter Milan?

Inter Milan have made a lot of changes this season, but is winning the Scudetto a realistic goal for the Nerazzurri?

On first thought, it seems unlikely. The answer is an emphatic "no" for some, but it's an intriguing question considering the changes in the Italian game this summer.

Inter would undoubtedly have a tough task of it this season, as the club will have to navigate a managerial change, squad changes and, of course, the competition.

Walter Mazzarri has taken charge of the club after another wonderful season at Napoli, and one would expect better performances with him in charge. He turned Napoli into the contender it is today, while playing a major role in polishing players like Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik.

He has experience—and some good talent—to work with at Inter, but how successful the club is will depend on how the players adapt to his preferred 3-5-2 formation and style of play. 

Mazzari hasn't been the only new addition so far this season.

Mauro Icardi, Ishak Belfodil, Diego Laxalt, Hugo Campagnaro and Marco Andreolli have all joined the club. The signings of Icardi, Belfodil and Laxalt show that Inter are looking to the future, while Campagnaro and Andreolli will strengthen the options at central defense.

The three youngsters may not influence the club's title challenge too much, but Inter have a solid starting 11 barring injury. 

Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito aren't included because they'll miss the start of the season, but Inter should be able to cope. Is that starting 11 good enough to win the Scudetto? Possibly. 

The Scudetto race hasn't been too competitive recently, considering Juventus have now replaced Inter Milan as the dominant title contender, although AC Milan grabbed a title before the duo switched roles. However, Napoli did push the Turin side somewhat last season, and one could point to several potential challengers next season in the form of Napoli, AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan. 

Each of those clubs have strong first-choice squads, with Udinese another side that can weaken the title challenge of any team with a win or two. Out of all these teams, Roma and Inter are most likely to end up missing out on European competition.

Having that distraction out of the way is something that may work in Inter's favour, and Roma's, as the season progresses—at least where Napoli, Fiorentina and Lazio are concerned.

Napoli started the season poorly the last time they were in the Champions League, and ended fifth as a result.  Fiorentina has not experienced European play for some time, and that adjustment may affect the form of some players. Lazio made it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season, but finished seventh thanks to a poor run of form coinciding with the knockout rounds.

On the other hand, Juventus went to the Champions League quarter-finals but still ran away with the title in the end, whilst Milan also went to the knockout rounds and ended the season strongly. 

Some of those clubs will also have to deal with managerial and player changes. Whoever reacts best will have put themselves first in line to challenge.

Preseason has been mostly disappointing results-wise, though Goal.com report that Mazzarri was upbeat about the squad's progress after the loss to Chelsea in the International Champions Cup last Thursday. That may be so, but the 4-0 loss to Valencia on Sunday shows there is still work to be done.

Inter's latest game, Tuesday's win against Juventus via penalties, will boost some confidence, but Inter have still failed to win a game in regulation against a notable team they've faced this summer. They drew with Hamburg earlier in their preseason preparations.

Those stern tests have given the Nerazzurri plenty to learn from, and can only make them better moving forward.

A game against Real Madrid on Saturday will act as a final assessment, and Mazzarri will certainly be thinking that another good result will do wonders for his side. So now we go back to the question of Inter winning the Scudetto. Is it realistic?

The answer is yes.

If the above possible starting 11 is aided by solid contributions from the bench throughout the campaign, then a Scudetto may not be too far away. Inter have no European competition to worry about, a coach who will demand the best from his side and, barring injuries or disastrous individual form, a good starting 11.

This doesn't mean that the Nerazzurri are favorites, or even among the top challengers right now. The season is long, but with the club able to focus on this competition(with the Coppa Italia an added bonus) they may just challenge for the Scudetto.

It may not be goal No. 1 for Inter heading into this season but, considering the circumstances, the Scudetto is a realistic possibility for the club.