SCORES
*BY*RICHARD HALL
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about an hour ago
Walter Mazzarri remains defiant as Inter lose yet again
Mazzarri's Inter side look sluggish and uninspired but the manager remains resolute about his future.
Walter Mazzarri had said before Saturday's game that "I'm always telling the lads, let's play like Inter." After Paolo De Ceglie's brace had given rock bottom Parma*a 2-0 win over theNerazzurri, most people would have confirmed that they'd just watched a very "Mazzarri-esque" Inter.
The away fans in the Stadio Ennio Tradini had unveiled a banner asking for Roberto Mancini to come back and steady the ship. This was perhaps not the best omen for Mazzarri, who was about to lead his team out in what was seen as another must-win game.
After Wednesday's win against Sampdoria, Mazzarri may have eventually managed to have a good night's sleep. His team had kept three clean sheets after conceding seven goals in their two previous games. The nightmare of being tactically outclassed by Zdenek Zeman (Cagliari won 4-1) and Vincenzo Montella (Fiorentina won 3-0) in the space of a week had seen the ex-Napoli coach asking himself whether he had a place as head of the*Nerazzurri. Since then, a draw against St Etienne and back-to-back wins against Cesena and a tough Sampdoria had given Inter's tactician some breathing space.
Parma, meanwhile, had been in free fall losing eight out of nine; Roberto Donadoni was under more pressure than his opposite number and needed to stop the rot quickly. Talk of relegation spread through the*Gialloblù*camp like a disease that could neither be stopped nor quarantined. The bright light of scrutiny was magnifying Donadoni's failings with a specific heat; he was a man with his back to the wall.
It couldn't have started much worse than it did for Inter; after a good opening five minutes they conceded from Parma's first foray into theNerazzurri*half. Nemanja Vidic was questioned again but it was perhaps the response from Mazzarri's team that provided more questions than answers.
Inter were evidently missing Hernanes, somewhat ironic as he had still not recaptured his form seen at Lazio. Mazzarri showed Parma too much respect with Gary Medel and Zdravko Kuzmanovic sitting deep in midfield. Proof of this error resonated in the woeful lack of trouble Inter caused Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante, the lack of creativity doing nothing to silence the boys with the banner in the away end. Inter dominated possession but had nothing to show from it and the tempo was once again missing. This game was more in line with the games at Torino and Palermo in which Inter were sluggish and toothless.
A deep-lying midfield showed too much respect to lowly Parma, who took full advantage.
The second half saw Mirante come out during the break to warm up as he'd had so little to do. Many expected the team to come out fighting and Inter did have a determined spell after the break but as is now becoming the norm, they ran out of steam.
Mazzarri has angrily protested against any opposition from the press or the fans, claiming his team are on a voyage of self-discovery, slowly improving and forever adapting to his philosophy. It is true that Inter are turning like a cruise liner at least, labouring to find out their same old frailties. Once again it was evident a 4-4-2 switch mid-game has no benefit and that introducing youth team players with minutes to go generally has little impact. Finally once Parma's second goal crept in, they learned that individual errors can cost you dearly, but they have been here before.
When asked about the banner calling for Mancini, Mazzarri reacted in his usual manner. "If after two victories and a draw with Napoli these things are being discussed, then I really don't care what they say."
ESPN FC's James Horncastle said on BT Sport that "it would cost Inter 10 million Euros to sack Mazzarri." With this in mind it is perhaps understandable that the ex-Napoli boss can knock away speculation with consummate ease and in his typically gruff manner. Questions will be asked about Mancini and other candidates too, but wages and Inter's financial situation will need to be addressed before fans can truly begin to dream of welcoming back an old favourite.
Inter's team are looking more and more like a group of good players coached badly and the fans' frustration is evident. Mazzarri has maintained the support of the Curva Nord for an unusual amount of time but he has offered them little but mediocrity and it seems like this support has now gone. With the contract of the coach such a burning question, it is hard to see how Erick Thohir will act but if he doesn't, there will simply be more defeats, more banners and more excuses.
Gledacemo mi ljudi moji njega jos poduze,Debeli Filipinac,kako ga zove predsednik Sampe,jednostavno nema muda a ni pare da otpusti Mazzaria,ovaj je toga svestan i zato ga boli kurac,moze kako hoce.
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