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The Power of Perisic
Ivan Perisic continues to develop into a world-class winger and Richard Hall feels he’s crucial to this Inter side.
If you think back to Inter’s training ground in
Appiano Gentile at the start of last season, everything looked quite different. Sat on the substitute’s bench at the side of the practice pitch, the
26-year-old
Croatian looked out of place. In the interview, he made some extremely mature points, although his muttering and lack of eye contact suggested that he lacked confidence.
Fast forward to the game against
Chievo last weekend and the muscular winger was wheeling away in celebration again after producing the goods for the second week running. He is now arguably the
heartbeat of the team and he isn’t looking back. You can use a Betsafe bonus code for him to be on target against Palermo this Sunday too.
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Perisic at Inter. Despite
Roberto Mancini leading his team to
five victories in a row at the start of last season, the Croat looked lost at times and offered little. He has always been excellent defensively and has the engine to track back, but his lack of physical presence meant that he often would only shield his man rather than challenge.
Things started to change after Inter’s winning run came to an end a day after the interview. Thumped 4-1 by Fiorentina, Mancini looked to tinker with the formation and this allowed Perisic more room to breathe. Against Sampdoria he scored and was also man of the match in a 1-1 draw and this was enough to give him belief. He never did abandon his defensive duties, something that would work in his favour a year later.
The season was average at best for the Nerazzurri, but the now 27-year-old had grown in confidence and in size. His work in the gym was rewarded, as he became a more powerful runner, a feature that complimented his stamina and appetite for the game. The work ethic was almost utilitarian at times, as he would often sacrifice chances for himself to let Mauro Icardi benefit from the fruits of his labour. As Mancini struggled to find a constant formula to supply the Argentinian, the Croatian came up with his own.
His finished the season with seven goals and six assists in 26 starts, but arguably could have had more if he hadn’t been so selfless.
This season he has come on again, showing first his adaptability and then his humility. There were few who shone under Frank de Boer’s unfortunate short reign at the club, but in the time the Dutchman had with the side, Perisic was one of the few who looked like he could adapt. He started to be calmer on the ball and looked for the more intelligent runs to make, dabbling more in artistry than power and his reading of the game improved.
When Stefano Pioli arrived, it was obvious to him that Perisic was technically one of the best in the squad and arguably one of the most feared wide men in Serie A. His one fault, however, was that he started games too slowly and perhaps was thinking too much. This has not completely left him and even in 2017 against Udinese and Chievo he has taken time to get going, to say the least. When he does kick into gear, he is a sight to behold and it is obvious how much Pioli loves him.
Whilst it may not completely be the case of ‘get Perisic into the game and win’, it isn’t far off, as the sight of him harrying defenders and gracefully skipping past them in the opposite direction is a thing of beauty.
He has already equalled his seven league goals of last season, scoring three in his last two games, and is becoming a threat that takes the pressure off Icardi.
This once shy and retiring boy who arrived in Milan no longer fits that description. He is instead an integral part of Pioli’s team and has the potential to get better.
As Pioli embraces the pressing nature of the game, the Croatian takes centre-stage, his incredible stamina lasting to the whistle. The statistics also show this,
as five of his seven goals arrived in the last 15 minutes – four of them from the 85th onwards.Power, pace and grace are blessed upon Inter’s wide man, but his intelligence and understanding of the game means that he will only get better.
P.S
Ivan Perišić 
