Inter Milan Faces Fiorentina Without Key Playmakers: A Golden Opportunity for Young Stars

This weekend, Inter Milan will face Fiorentina in the league, and the suspension of Hakan Çalhanoğlu poses a significant challenge for the team. Since Simone Inzaghi took over as head coach, Inter has struggled with "playmaker dependency." In his first year, this dependency centered on Marcelo Brozović, with the team frequently drawing or losing in his absence. Later, when Brozović lost his starting spot due to injury, this dependency shifted to Çalhanoğlu.

Inzaghi has been steadily improving as a coach, and if his current mission is to raise the team's ceiling, the suspensions of key players this round offer him a golden opportunity to challenge himself. He must confront his reluctance to rotate certain players, such as Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, and Çalhanoğlu. The over-reliance on key players poses a risk, as few players can endure an entire league season along with Champions League knockout stages without needing rest. Additionally, if rotational players are seldom given chances to play, their growth could stagnate or they might become completely wasted assets.

However, compared to previous years, Inzaghi has been bold with rotations in the Coppa Italia and Champions League group stages this season, giving more playing time to Kristjan Asllani than last season. Inzaghi's efforts to implement large-scale rotations in the first half of the season were intended to prepare for potential injury-related absences in the second half. Now, it is time to test whether these preparations will prove effective.

Replacing Nicolò Barella will be Davide Frattesi, who has been in excellent form recently, scoring goals and exuding confidence. This will be Frattesi's first start in the league in four and a half months, a timely opportunity for him despite it being due to an unexpected lineup change. Concerns among the media focus on Asllani, as Inter have managed only two draws and one loss in the three games Çalhanoğlu missed this season – drawing against Real Sociedad and Benfica in the Champions League and being eliminated by Bologna in the Coppa Italia. However, this sample size is not large enough to draw definitive conclusions, especially since those three matches involved significant rotations, with many key players not starting.

According to a special report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Asllani has made significant improvements compared to last season, largely based on the coach's demands. These changes can be summarized as three main areas:

1. More Pragmatic Play

Asllani's heatmaps from the past two seasons show that he is playing in a deeper position this season.

2. Increased Involvement

Last season, Asllani had a 62.5% success rate in duels, while this season it is only 43.3%. Many wonder why, despite being praised for his progress, especially at the national team level, his stats seem worse. The drop in success rate is due to a significant increase in total duels, meaning a higher denominator leads to a lower percentage. More duels indicate a greater involvement on the pitch, which is beneficial. Even if duels are lost, the effort can disrupt opponents' actions. This is better than having fewer duels and being peripheral to the team’s system. This season, Asllani averages 1.89 ball recoveries and 0.42 successful interceptions per match, up from 1.79 and 0.31 last season, respectively. Additionally, he attempts long passes 17.8 times per 90 minutes, significantly higher than Çalhanoğlu's 11.7 times, and his frequency of initiating progressive passes (3.89 per game) and passes into the attacking third (4.44 per game) has also increased. This improvement is partly due to increased confidence from playing regularly for the national team and partly due to encouragement from the coach to take risks without fearing mistakes.

3. Improved Physical Strength

A comparison of Asllani's physique from his time at Empoli to now shows a noticeable increase in muscle mass. Despite some fans questioning the relevance of these improvements, focusing solely on practical performance, Asllani's biggest progress is evident on the field.

Last season, Asllani played 592 minutes in Serie A, during which Inter scored nine goals and conceded ten. The team averaged a goal every 65.8 minutes and conceded one every 59.2 minutes, performing worse on both fronts compared to when their regular starters were on the pitch. This season, Asllani has made 11 substitute appearances in the league, during which Inter scored ten goals and conceded just one. Although his total playing time is short, and the sample size is small, it can still be said that he has not let the team down when he has played.

In conclusion, the significant rotations in the Champions League and Coppa Italia during the first half of the season were designed to prepare for unexpected situations like the current one. Now that such a situation has arisen, it's time to fully utilize the young players. Inter Milan has traditionally been one of Europe's toughest and least forgiving clubs for young talents. It is time for the fans to change their habit of harshly criticizing young players without giving them a fair chance.

Facing Fiorentina: A Test of Depth and Resilience

With key players like Çalhanoğlu and Barella unavailable, Inter must rely on their squad depth and the improvements of their rotational players. Fiorentina will not be an easy opponent, and this match will be a critical test for Inzaghi's ability to manage his squad effectively and overcome the reliance on specific playmakers.

Frattesi's recent form and confidence make him a promising replacement for Barella, and his performance will be closely watched. Asllani, on the other hand, will have the chance to prove that he can step up in Çalhanoğlu's absence. His increased involvement, pragmatic play, and physical improvements suggest he is ready for this challenge.

This game will also test Inter's overall resilience and adaptability. The team's ability to perform without their usual key players will be crucial for their success in both the league and European competitions. The experience gained by young players in these situations will be invaluable for the team's long-term development.

The Psychological Aspect

Inzaghi's reluctance to rotate key players can be seen as a psychological barrier that he needs to overcome. Trusting his squad and giving young players more opportunities can strengthen the team's overall performance and reduce the risk of burnout for the regular starters. This match against Fiorentina provides a perfect opportunity for Inzaghi to demonstrate his trust in the squad and his ability to adapt to challenging situations.

The Road Ahead

As Inter Milan faces Fiorentina without key playmakers, the focus will be on how well the team can adapt and perform under pressure. The improvements of young players like Asllani and Frattesi will be crucial, and their performances could shape the future dynamics of the team. Inzaghi's ability to manage this situation effectively will be a testament to his growth as a coach and his vision for the team.

In summary, the suspension of key players presents a significant challenge for Inter Milan but also offers a golden opportunity for young talents to shine. The team's ability to adapt and perform without their usual playmakers will be crucial for their success in both domestic and European competitions. The experience gained by young players in these situations will be invaluable for the team's long-term development. It is time for Inter and its fans to embrace and support the young talents within the squad, trusting in their potential and contributions to the team's success.