Mauro Icardi was finally brought back from the cold for Inter last night but things aren't exactly all rosy again, with the Argentine and manager Luciano Spalletti having a very awkward interaction when he was substituted.
Having been stripped of the captaincy in February, Icardi was back in training a lengthy absence this week following a contract stand-off between his wife and agent Wanda Nara and the Nerazzurri board, Spalletti elected to start him against Genoa.
The former Sampdoria marked his return with a goal from the penalty spot and an assist in the 4-0 thrashing away from home, with Icardi substituted in the second half.
But while there was a handshake between player and manager when he left the field, it was very, very awkward.
No matter what Spalletti says, it doesn't look like the situation has been resolved just yet. Still, he did praise Icardi for his performance and demanded more from him.
Advert
"Players like Mauro always get the goal and assists, but it is up to the team to manage the game," the former Roma manager told DAZN, via Goal.
"He has to be more involved and link more with the whole team. The team puts him in the position to score.
"If the work is done by nine players rather than 10, less is done. But Mauro played a good game. He played with great personality and he could have scored another goal as well [when he hit the post]."
It is also seems as though sections of Inter fans are not fully accepting of Icardi, with some choosing to not celebrate his goal at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Icardi and Inter ultras have had major beef in the past and on Tuesday the Curva Nud group issued a statement urging him to leave the club.
Advert
"After an internal meeting, all the Curva Nord groups unanimously decided that the behaviour of the Nerazzurri No 9 mustn't be tolerated any longer," the statement read, as per Football Italia.
"The Nord believes Icardi has shown that he doesn't possess the necessary character, not just for the captain's armband but also for a united dressing room.
"With this release, we invite Inter to take the necessary measures as soon as possible to remove him from a squad who don't seem to have the slightest intention of sharing the immediate path with him and the future, also putting our end of the season at risk.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Wanda Nara, Football, Mauro Icardi, Serie A, genoa, Italian Football, Inter Milan
