It didn’t take a summer evening filled with fans in swimwear to see that Mehdi Taremi, sporting the number 99 on his back, means business. A quick look at his Wikipedia page reveals a player whose relationship with goals is almost that of old friends catching up for a drink; they seem destined to share memorable moments together. After another impressive performance featuring two goals, Taremi now has five goals in three pre-season matches, proving that Inter Milan is stronger with him in the squad.
He’s filled in the gaps that were apparent last season, a contrast to the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Marko Arnautovic. Head coach Simone Inzaghi has a versatile forward in Taremi, equipped with quality and experience. The recent friendly match against Las Palmas confirmed that Taremi is a starter, not just a backup. His presence on the field is a positive sign, dispelling any notions of competition being a problem.
Taremi has the ability to mix well with others in the attack, whether that’s breaking through defenders or helping manage the team’s overall workload. He knows how to play as a central striker, showing the cunning necessary to win penalties, as he did in the match against Las Palmas. His goal that followed a pass from Henrikh Mkhitaryan showcased the intelligence of a true striker.
Yet, Taremi is not just limited to a traditional forward role. He excels in initiating attacking plays, possessing the skill to shield the ball while reading his teammates’ movements effectively. In this aspect, he bears similarity to Lautaro Martinez, a master of creating space while playing with his back to goal.
For those familiar with Taremi, his quality is no surprise. Inter has pursued him for over a year and a half; Inzaghi has watched him extensively and understands what he brings to the team. The most encouraging news for the coach is that Taremi is quickly integrating into the team’s tactical setup, something that was not the case last season with the likes of Marcus Thuram, who took longer to adjust.
The fact that Inzaghi kept Taremi on the pitch for most of the game highlights his intention to start him when the season kicks off. The opening match against Genoa on August 17 is likely to see Taremi in the starting lineup. Those at Inter can breathe easy knowing that they have made the right decision bringing him in. During the match, Taremi didn’t have the perfect partnership with Joaquin Correa, but his budding understanding with Mkhitaryan was clear, showing they speak a similar football language.
Inzaghi expressed his satisfaction after the match, saying, “I saw good things, I am very happy. I’m glad all the boys, whether they’ve been here longer or just arrived, are here with enthusiasm and happy to be together. I really like the fact that they train with smiles: it doesn’t mean training less, but training better.” This reflects Inzaghi’s coaching philosophy, which Taremi appears to have grasped quickly, as he was seen laughing post-match, having just celebrated another goal with his old friend: the goal itself.
