Inter Milan Drops Two Points But Continues to Support Rising Stars and the Trident Formation: Heartwarming Gesture Defines Greatness

As Inter Milan walked away from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris with a 2-2 draw against Genoa, the team was left with a bittersweet taste and a sense of disappointment. Despite their recent struggles at this stadium—where they have not won in their last three visits—a draw was not entirely unexpected. Moreover, with AC Milan and other rivals also dropping points, the situation could have been worse. However, the missed opportunity stings more deeply considering Inter's preseason strategy to capitalize on their rivals’ transitions and early-season instability to establish an early points advantage. Failing to secure the full three points from this match was a setback to that plan.

Football, being a sport where the result often dictates the narrative, led to the usual barrage of criticism from self-proclaimed experts and online pundits. These critics, often lacking deep football knowledge, tend to target the usual suspects: the coach or the younger players. For Inter, the most pointed critiques were directed at Yann Bisseck, who played well for 70 minutes but was at fault for conceding a penalty, and Kristjan Asllani, who was blamed for the midfield's brief loss of control during his short time on the pitch. Additionally, head coach Simone Inzaghi faced scrutiny for his indecision during substitutions.

Yet, within this context of disappointment, there were also moments of encouragement. Several media outlets and club insiders noted that despite the result, Inter's performance was commendable. Among those expressing this view were Gazzetta dello Sport’s Davide Stoppini and journalist Franco Vanni, who boldly stated, “I write this with some trepidation, but in my opinion, Inter didn’t play badly.” This perspective resonates with the belief that while the draw was unfortunate, Inter still displayed the fluidity and chance creation that characterized their play last season.

This match served as a reminder that in Serie A, victories are never guaranteed, even against smaller teams. However, using a single game to question a strategy that has been months in the making is unwarranted. Inzaghi, after the match, defended his two most controversial decisions: continuing to trust young talents like Bisseck and deploying the three-striker formation, a tactic that has been rehearsed during the preseason.

In this particular match, Inter, tied 1-1 by the 75th minute, switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation by bringing on Mehdi Taremi for Hakan Çalhanoğlu. This formation, involving a trident attack, was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Inter had experimented with this setup several times during preseason, and it was the first-choice backup plan if needed. The switch paid off immediately, as Inter took the lead just a few minutes later. However, the gamble also had its downsides. Çalhanoğlu’s departure left the midfield vulnerable, and Genoa managed to create three significant threats in a short span, nearly turning the game on its head.

In response to these issues, Inzaghi quickly reverted to a 3-5-2 by substituting Lautaro Martínez with Asllani. This decision was part of why Asllani was criticized post-match—two formation changes in such a short period led to a loss of control in midfield. In the Inter fan community, scapegoating young players is, unfortunately, a common reflex. However, Inzaghi stood by Bisseck after the match, stating, “He played a good game. He needs to keep working this way. He made a mistake on the second goal, but he was the first to realize it. He has great potential.”

Inzaghi also confirmed that he would continue using the trident formation in future matches: “We have players with different characteristics. At that moment, Mkhitaryan was booked, and Çalhanoğlu was fatigued. The three-striker formation was a solution, and I will continue to use it because our forwards have excellent versatility.” The season is long, and integrating young players while reducing the burden on older mainstays is crucial for the long-term plan. Overworking veterans like Çalhanoğlu or Francesco Acerbi, or shying away from trying out alternative formations, would be shortsighted.

Perhaps the most heartening moment of the match involved Benjamin Pavard. Initially set to come on as a substitute, Pavard was fully dressed and ready to enter the fray when Inter scored to take the lead. Inzaghi then decided to use the substitution elsewhere, leaving Pavard on the sidelines. It’s easy to imagine how frustrating this situation could have been for the Frenchman, especially given his struggles at the European Championship, where he was portrayed as a tragic figure.

However, what followed was a display of true sportsmanship. Despite being told he would not enter the game, Pavard ran over to join his teammates in celebrating the goal, jumping with joy. This touching moment exemplified the qualities of a great player—one whose value goes beyond just skill and technique.

In conclusion, while Inter’s failure to secure all three points was disappointing, the team showed several promising signs during the match. The support for young talents, the commitment to tactical experimentation, and the unity within the squad—even in moments of individual frustration—all point to a team that, despite early setbacks, remains focused on its long-term goals. Inter’s journey towards defending their title may have had a rocky start, but the resilience and positive attitudes displayed suggest that the path forward is still bright.