The Realistic Expectations for Inter Milan in 2014-15 Are Improvement

It may be difficult for one of the giants of Italian football to be satisfied with gradual progress, but that is what can realistically be expected from Inter Milan's 2014-15 season.

It was only four years ago that Inter won a fantastic treble to cap one of the brightest periods of the club's history.

With the departure of Jose Mourinho, the team's fortunes waned, however, and Juventus have now re-emerged as the undisputed kings of Serie A.

There was some optimism surrounding the Nerazzurri at the start of this campaign, which represented Walter Mazzarri's second season in charge, that most of the elements were in place for a return to the upper echelons of the table.

In 2013-14, Mazzarri led the side to fifth place, an improvement from ninth the year before.

It is still not an impossible dream for Inter to finish in the Champions League places this time around, but fans may have to make do with a small gain at best.

A fourth- or fifth-place finish should be what Inter are aiming for.

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A strong tilt at the Europa League is not beyond this side's capabilities, and if the Nerazzurri can go deep in that competition as well, supporters and club directors may just consider the season a success.

Mazzarri's men currently occupy eighth spot in the table. A hard-earned win over Cesena relieved some of the pressure on the coach after two losses and a draw in the league.

A tough home match against Sampdoria is next on the cards, followed by two winnable games, against Parma and Hellas Verona.

A decent haul of points from that set of fixtures leading into the Milan derby should set up the Inter's season nicely (though Mazzarri could be in deep trouble if things go poorly).

It is safe to say, even at this early stage, that Juventus and Roma are likely to be occupying first and second spots on the ladder for the rest of the season.

That leaves half of a Champions League spot remaining for the likes of Udinese, Milan, Sampdoria, Lazio, Napoli and Inter to fight for. While the Black and Blues might be able to overhaul some of the teams ahead of them at this stage, it is unlikely they will be able to outperform all of them for the rest of the campaign.

A bright start the Europa League bodes well for the Nerazzurri's chances in that competition, however.

At the halfway point of the group stage, they sit comfortably atop of Group F, with two wins and a draw from three games.

Advancement should be a given at this point, and there are few teams Inter need to fear in the knockout stages. There is some quality in the tournament, with Tottenham, Everton, Sevilla, PSV and several other sides being able to present a real challenge for Inter, but not an impossible one.

A run to the latter stages of the competition is very possible, then.

If Inter perform to their potential for the rest of the season, a realistic achievement should be a fourth- or fifth-place finish in Serie A, and a semi-final spot in the Europa League, as a minimum.

Anything less than that and fans would have a right to be disappointed.