Adriano seeks Brazil balm for Inter blues

Hailed 12 months ago as the finest centre forward in the world, Inter striker Adriano is gaining a reputation as a Jekyll and Hyde performer after struggling to hit the target in Serie A.

The 23-year-old has had a mixed year in 2005, suffering an alarming dip in form for his club while consistently producing his best for Brazil.

He seemed to have come of age last year when he led his country to a Copa America triumph in July and made a dream start to the Italian season, scoring 14 times in 15 games.

Since January, however, "The Emperor" has been anything but imperious in Serie A, scoring on just three of 20 appearances for a total of five goals, one of which was a penalty.

He showed no sign of shaking off the drought on Sunday, when he failed to muster a shot on goal in a 2-0 loss to Juventus. The atmosphere was tense after the match, when Adriano publicly criticised the tactics of his coach Roberto Mancini.

"Mancini had a go at Martins and I because we didn't keep possession enough," he said.

"That's fine, but he must understand that whenever we received the ball there was no-one to pass to.

"We were too isolated up front."

Although he has no lack of suitors, few expect the Brazilian to leave Inter in the near future.

Last week he extended his contract to 2010 and has always insisted he is happy at the club.

His prolonged form slump, however, is becoming the cause of debate in Italy, particularly because he has continued to hit the target regularly for Brazil.