Palacio could hold key to Inter scoring woes
With just nine goals to their name after nine matches, the Nerazzurri should consider turning to the 33-year-old to add some fluidity to their attack
COMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 07: Rodrigo Palacio of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during FC Internazionale training session at the club's training ground on October 7, 2015 in Appiano Gentile Como, Italy. A pattern is beginning to emerge at Inter with regards to their goalscoring woes, and it surrounds the seldom used Rodrigo Palacio.
With last season’s capocannoniere Mauro Icardi struggling for form, and Stevan Jovetic having hit a rough patch, the Biscione find themselves with just nine goals from nine matches, a total only five teams have failed to surpass.
When the Argentine and Montenegrin have started together, which is four matches, they’ve rarely shown an understanding with one another in the final third, which isn’t the case when either is fielded with Palacio.
In terms of shots on goal, statistics show that when the former Boca Juniors man is fielded with Jovetic, they average 12.5 shots. Compare that to just 10.25 when the former Manchester City man is fielded with Icardi.
Also, Inter as a whole average 382.5 passes in the oppositions half when Jovetic is fielded with Palacio, which trumps the 243.5 that the side produces when the latter starts with Icardi.
The most worrying statistic is this: when Jovetic is fielded with last season’s capocannoniere, the Nerazzurri only average 219.5 passes, a worrying number for Roberto Mancini which highlights their lack of interaction on the field.
What it does show is that Palacio’s style of play meshes better with one of Jovetic or Icardi, rather than when the latter are paired together.
The former Genoa man’s ability to move into open channels and open up space for the other two is an underrated quality that stands in stark contrast to Icardi, who remains most dangerous when in the penalty area despite the work put in by Mancini to change his style of play last season, or Jovetic, who prefers to receive the ball out wide before cutting in.
Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi reacts as he leaves the field after losing the Italian Serie A soccer match against Fiorentina at the San Siro stadium in Milan
Before fans go calling for the benching of their 22-year-old starlet, take into consideration that he had five goals after nine matches last season, only three more than he currently has.
A closer look shows that three of those came in a 7-0 victory over Sassuolo, and the other two came via the penalty spot.
From February onward he netted nine goals, showing that the former Sampdoria man needs some time to settle in before making the most of his chances.
Thus patience is needed when it comes to Icardi and his form, the only question is whether Mancini will push for him to form a partnership with Jovetic, or opt to hand Palacio more playing time at the Montenegrin’s expense.
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