Where Will Inter Milan Finish in Serie A This Season?

Inter Milan are in a state of transition currently and the new season presents the Nerazzurri faithful in a strange situation.

Inter have recently experienced the most successful season in their history under Jose Mourinho in 2010, so it was only natural that they would eventually go through a period of transition.

Massimo Moratti is notorious for being impatient with managers and one might argue that he did not give Andrea Stramaccioni enough time to turn Inter's fortunes around. The young tactician was rewarded with a permanent contract after impressing when he replaced Claudio Ranieri in 2012.

The right manager was not available at that moment, so Moratti opted to roll the dice with the inexperienced 36-year-old, but once Walter Mazzarri's availability became known, there was only one choice for the president to ensure Inter could return to prominence soon.

The former Napoli manager is tasked with revolutionising the Nerazzurri and will use his tried-and-trusted three centre-back formation to move the Milan giants forward.

After a disastrous ninth place finish last season, it is tricky to decipher just how much Inter can improve, but a litany of new signings have given fresh hope that Mazzarri's men might even be a dark horse in the hunt for a Champions League place.

I sense that this will be just too much to ask from Mazzarri at this early stage of the redevelopment, with Juventus and Napoli clearly superior on paper. Milan and Fiorentina also look to be too strong at this stage, which leaves the next group of sides in Serie A, which Inter are a part of.

Roma and probably Lazio and Udinese will join Inter in that group who will strive to take that last Europa League place. That might not be something that Inter will be all too excited to receive if they can top that mini table, but it is something that can attract players in the forthcoming transfer windows.

Mauro Icardi, Ishak Belfodil and Diego Laxalt are just a few of the summer signings, all of whom are 21 years old or younger, which will give the Nerazzurri added pace and energy throughout the team.

Whether Mazzarri can blend them into the first team, alongside other youngsters such as Mateo Kovacic, Juan Jesus and Joel Obi is tough to know, but the future is definitely exciting given the high potential in the squad.

At this stage though, I feel that Roma are in a better position to bounce back from a poor season, especially if they can keep hold of Daniele De Rossi. A stellar midfield that would include Michael Bradley, Kevin Strootman and possibly Miralem Pjanic gives Rudi Garcia a fabulous foundation to build from.

Mehdi Benatia will adequately replace Marquinhos—who joined PSG after one season in the capital—and Erik Lamela is ready to arrive as a superstar, giving Roma more reliable options at this stage of the season.

Even though Lazio are coming off the back of a good season, their side is on the verge of reaching the end of its cycle with many ageing players. 

Udinese will remain competitive and even though they have lost Benatia, Francesco Guidolin has guided the team to strong finishes after losing much more important players. However, Antonio Di Natale is 35 years old and will surely be slowing down sooner or later and while the transfer window remains open, players like Luis Muriel will be targets for clubs such as Manchester United, according to the Metro.

Sixth place is where I envisage Inter finishing this season, which would not necessarily be a terrible season.

Progress on the pitch will be key to whether Mazzarri succeeds and quickly integrating the young players should be enough to appease the president or the incoming new owner, Erick Thohir.