Four Number 10s! Is Inter Milan's Dream Midfield the Best in Serie A? Five Short Statured Players Affect Defensive Recruitment

The latest discussion from La Gazzetta dello Sport brought together three Inter Milan legends – Alessandro Altobelli, Giuseppe Bergomi, and Cristiano Zanetti – to discuss a burning question: Does this season's Inter Milan midfield, featuring Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Davide Frattesi, Kristjan Asllani, and Piotr Zielinski, qualify as the best in Serie A? The consensus was a resounding yes, though not without acknowledging potential pitfalls.

Alessandro Altobelli, a key player in Inter's 1980 Serie A-winning campaign with 216 appearances and 30 goals over six years, highlighted the team's depth with his “five key players” perspective. He emphasized that Zielinski's arrival has brought an exceptional talent to the squad. Timing is crucial for player integration, as seen with Calhanoglu's transformation during Marcelo Brozovic's injury spell. Altobelli believes that with Zielinski, Inter no longer has to strictly adhere to the 3-5-2 formation. He noted that Zielinski's versatility allows him to perform well in any position, and at least five players in Inter's midfield could start for most Serie A teams.

Cristiano Zanetti, who played for Inter for five years and was instrumental in several trophy wins, stated: "I think Inter's midfield is the strongest in Serie A and one of the top three in Europe." Given the long and intense season ahead, Zanetti expects Inter to start with last season's winning trio – at least initially. However, every player will have opportunities throughout the season. He praised Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, and Frattesi for their strengths and highlighted Zielinski's incredible versatility and decisive match-winning capabilities.

Giuseppe Bergomi, known for his sparing praise, also extolled Inter's midfield, introducing the concept of “four number 10s.” He pointed out that last season's main midfielders – Barella, Calhanoglu, and Mkhitaryan – all possess the qualities of a number 10 and have excelled in their new roles, ensuring the team’s technical prowess and fluidity. Bergomi is confident that Zielinski will integrate seamlessly and posed the question of who between him and Mkhitaryan would start, praising the Armenian's preparation and consistency. He also acknowledged Asllani’s growing confidence and Frattesi’s unique attributes.

La Gazzetta dello Sport also detailed Simone Inzaghi’s strategic plans for Zielinski, envisioning him as the "new Luis Alberto," tasked with creating scoring opportunities during set plays and recovering the ball during transitions. Initially, Zielinski will start as a substitute, but Inzaghi has continually expressed his trust and regard for the Polish midfielder, indicating special tactical training to expedite his impact.

Despite the star-studded lineup, there are concerns. Altobelli and Zanetti both pointed out that managing such a talented squad demands exceptional rotational management. Altobelli stressed that Inzaghi must improve his rotation strategy compared to last season.

The Tuttosport recently fueled the “Frattesi threat” narrative, suggesting that Frattesi, who was Inter’s “fourth midfielder” last season, proved his worth and now aspires to be a starter. However, Zielinski’s arrival might push him down the pecking order. Managing player expectations and morale will be a significant challenge for Inzaghi.

Another potential issue, as noted by Bergomi, is the midfield's lack of physical presence. With the majority of Inter’s midfielders standing between 1.75m and 1.78m, and the tallest among them, Zielinski, barely reaching 1.80m, this could pose unforeseen challenges. This height deficit could influence other areas of the team, leading to strategic adjustments.

Commentator Roberto Altobelli pointed out that Inter fans are puzzled by the club's decision to spend 15 million euros on backup goalkeeper Jose Martinez. While Martinez’s shot-stopping and stability are considered inferior to Yann Sommer’s, his ability to handle high balls and crosses is superior, compensating for the overall shorter stature of Inter’s midfield and other positions. This was a strategic move to bolster aerial defense, particularly against set-pieces, to avoid conceding goals.

Market experts speculate that Inter’s future defensive recruitments will focus on acquiring a left-footed, versatile defender with significant height to balance the team’s aerial vulnerabilities. This holistic consideration of the midfield’s height constraints will likely dictate Inter’s transfer strategies moving forward.

Strategic and Tactical Insights

The core of Inter's midfield boasts players with exceptional technical skills and positional versatility. Calhanoglu's vision and passing range, Barella's dynamism and work rate, and Mkhitaryan's creative flair are complemented by Frattesi's box-to-box capabilities and Asllani's growing confidence and composure. Zielinski's arrival adds another layer of creativity and flexibility, allowing Inzaghi to deploy multiple tactical setups.

Zielinski's ability to link defense and attack, his powerful long-range shots, and his knack for decisive plays make him a valuable asset. Inzaghi’s tactical plans to integrate Zielinski rapidly reflect his crucial role in Inter’s ambitions this season.

Management and Rotation Challenges

Managing a star-studded midfield requires careful rotation to maintain player morale and fitness. Inzaghi’s ability to balance playing time and keep all players motivated will be crucial. Altobelli’s point about improving rotation strategies highlights the need for tactical and managerial acumen to navigate the challenges of a demanding season.

Physical Presence and Aerial Defense

The lack of physical dominance in Inter’s midfield is a potential vulnerability. Bergomi’s observation about the midfield’s height disadvantage underlines the need for strategic adjustments in other areas. The acquisition of Martinez, despite his perceived inferiority to Sommer in certain aspects, addresses this issue by enhancing Inter’s aerial defense capabilities.

Transfer Market Implications

Inter’s future transfer strategies will likely focus on acquiring taller, physically dominant defenders to mitigate the midfield’s height deficit. This integrated approach ensures that the team remains balanced and capable of handling various tactical scenarios.

Inter Milan’s midfield, brimming with talent and technical prowess, stands as one of the strongest in Serie A and Europe. The blend of creativity, versatility, and tactical intelligence positions them as a formidable force. However, managing this wealth of talent, addressing physical presence issues, and strategic recruitment will be key to maximizing their potential and achieving success this season. The tactical nous of Inzaghi and the adaptability of the players will determine whether this “dream midfield” can lead Inter to glory while navigating the inherent challenges of a competitive Serie A campaign.