Derby Curse? AC Milan as Inter's Turning Point Two Surprise Performers Shine in Training, Hoping to Be Heroes

Football is a results-driven sport, and Inter Milan’s manager Simone Inzaghi is acutely aware of this reality. Just days ago, Inzaghi was hailed as a genius after a resounding 5-1 victory over AC Milan in the Milan derby. However, following a loss to Sassuolo, the same fans who praised him were quick to criticize. The same people who sing your praises can be the ones who criticize you the most harshly. If there is a pivotal moment in Inter Milan's recent performances, it would undoubtedly be the derby match. Before the derby, Inter won all three of their matches, scoring eight goals and conceding none. After the 5-1 victory over Milan, their goal tally for the first four matches was an impressive 13-1. However, in the three matches following the derby against Real Sociedad, Empoli, and Sassuolo, Inter's performance fell below expectations, with a goal differential of 3-3.

The Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport labeled this phenomenon as "Derby Poison," suggesting that the emphatic victory over AC Milan might have led to a dip in Inter's overall performance. Fatigue is one factor, but it is not the only reason. Veteran football analyst Gianni Di Marzio pointed out a core strategic issue, a topic that Italian tacticians are currently debating.

In their 4-0 win over Fiorentina, Inter’s possession was just 40%, and they had only 102 touches in the attacking third. Similarly, in their 5-1 win over AC Milan, their possession was 41%, with 105 touches in the attacking third. In these matches, Inter’s strategy involved dropping back, focusing on quick counter-attacks. On average, they needed only 10 touches in the attacking third to create a shot on target and 23 touches to score a goal.

However, in the last two league matches, Inter’s possession increased to 61% against Empoli and 63% against Sassuolo, with over 200 touches in the attacking third in both games, totaling 411 touches. The efficiency, however, dropped significantly, with Inter needing 51.4 touches in the attacking third to create a shot on target and 205.5 touches to score a goal.

Fatigue and a drop in form among the forwards are contributing factors, but the fundamental issue lies in the fact that this Inter squad is better suited to counter-attacking football rather than a possession-based approach. Players like Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries thrive when given space to run into, but struggle when tasked with breaking down a well-organized defense or controlling high-speed passes under heavy pressure.

The derby victory changed the mindset of Inter’s players and staff, leading them to abandon their low-possession, quick-transition style in favor of a more attacking approach. This shift could be a major reason for their sudden decline in performance post-derby. If the loss to Sassuolo serves to curb Inter’s overconfidence and reestablish the value of pragmatic football, it could be beneficial for their entire season.

Beyond tactical choices, another pressing issue is player fitness. Several Inter players are nearing the point where they need rest to avoid poor performances or injuries. With limited squad depth, finding reliable options from the bench—even just one or two players—could make a significant difference.

Italian media reported that after the grueling match against Sassuolo, two standout performers in training were Benjamin Pavard and Davy Klaassen, providing hope for the team. According to reporters following the team, Pavard and Klaassen engaged in several direct duels during training, with Klaassen acting as a forward and Pavard as his defender. This scene was reminiscent of when Andrea Ranocchia used to train against Romelu Lukaku, significantly improving the Belgian striker’s hold-up play.

With Inzaghi confirming in a press conference that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is more suited to midfield and Klaassen can fill in the attacking roles, the Dutchman is set to join the forward rotation. During his two stints with Ajax (2011-2017 and 2020-2023), Klaassen played numerous matches as a winger, second striker, and even as the main forward, maintaining a scoring rate of one goal every three appearances. While the Eredivisie’s scoring statistics differ from those of the top five leagues, Klaassen’s ability to play these positions is evident. His goal-scoring efficiency in attacking roles (forward, second striker, winger, and attacking midfielder) in both the Eredivisie and European competitions averaged 0.423 goals per game. Even if the Eredivisie's goal-scoring data differs from the major European leagues, Klaassen has proven his capability in these positions.

Pavard and Klaassen’s impressive training performances suggest they could play more significant roles. How to best utilize them is something Inzaghi must consider. Inter faces a challenging schedule, and the risk is that if they do not quickly bounce back from the loss to Sassuolo, the current crisis in form could have more significant repercussions. However, the opportunity lies in the fact that a victory within 48 hours could quickly turn things around.

After the derby, some people prematurely declared Inter as champions, only to backtrack and suggest they might struggle to finish in the top four after the loss to Sassuolo. However, making such definitive statements after just 5-6 rounds is far too early. This season is sure to be a rollercoaster for Inter, and it is far from over.

Inter's journey this season will undoubtedly be filled with ups and downs, but it is essential to remember that the true measure of success or failure comes much later. For now, addressing the immediate issues of tactical adjustments, player fatigue, and effective rotation will be key to navigating the challenges ahead. Inter must find the balance between confidence and humility, pragmatism and ambition, to ensure a successful campaign.