Leonardo: Upcoming games are make or break

Inter Milan boss Leonardo believes his side’s next few games will define their season.

With his side sitting in third place in Serie A – five points behind leaders AC Milan – and facing a trip to Germany to face Bayern Munich in a Champions League round of 16 second-leg match trailing 1-0, the next month shapes as crucial for Inter.

The reigning European champions take on Sampdoria, Genoa and Brescia before the trip to Munich and Leonardo predicts those three games will have a marked bearing on the destination of the scudetto.

Inter have undergone a remarkable turnaround in fortunes since the Brazilian replaced Rafael Benitez at the helm, but the manager is aware the club’s fans expect the ultimate success after last year’s historic Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia treble.

“I think the next three or four matches in the Serie A will be very important,” Leonardo said.

“Of course any match is important and can be decisive or key for the title race, but that’s especially the case when you look at the balance of this year’s championship.”

“The next three or four matches will definitely give important answers. February and March will be the decisive period and it will tell us which teams will be battling for the title.”

Leonardo revealed the worst of the club’s injury crisis is almost over, although midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has been ruled out with a groin problem.

“I think Thiago Motta, (Andrea) Ranocchia and (Ivan) Cordoba are almost ready to be picked again. We only need to consider their current condition,” he said.

“Cambiasso won’t play though. He had a small problem with his adductor muscle, so he will probably be out for a while longer. The others are almost there though. They are almost ready to play.”

And Leonardo sounded a note of caution ahead of Sunday’s difficult trip to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to take on Sampdoria, despite their low league position.

“I think Sampdoria are a team that have changed a lot if we consider their recent line-ups see how they’ve altered, both in terms of personnel and formations,” Leonardo said.

“They’re certainly looking for a new way to play with the new players they have. But the spirit that took Sampdoria to the first round in Champions League last year is still there.”