Inter Milan Manager Inzaghi's Tactical Blueprint: Who Will Succeed Sánchez? New Role for Rising Star Carboni

As Inter Milan gears up for their pre-season training, the club announced the renewal of manager Simone Inzaghi's contract. During the pre-season press conference, Inzaghi addressed several pressing questions from fans. His responses, including expressions of gratitude towards Steven Zhang, rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia and the Premier League, and praising new signings like Zieliński and Taremi, were characteristically Inzaghi. However, the tactical insights he shared are of particular interest to analysts.

Embracing Tactical Flexibility

Inzaghi emphasized his commitment to the 3-5-2 formation but acknowledged the need for unpredictability. “Last season, we only changed formations in the final minutes, and I believe that wasn't the right approach. This season, we are ready to make adjustments to increase our unpredictability. For instance, we might experiment with two players operating behind the strikers,” he stated.

This tactical flexibility aims to make Inter less predictable and more adaptable during matches. By incorporating elements of surprise, Inzaghi hopes to outmaneuver opponents who have become accustomed to Inter’s style.

Filling the Void Left by Sánchez

One of the critical questions was about the departure of Alexis Sánchez and who would replace his role in the attacking trio. Last season, Sánchez often played alongside two other forwards when Inter transitioned to a more offensive 3-4-3 formation. Inzaghi's answer pointed to one name: Valentin Carboni.

“Last season, Arnautović and Sánchez did what we needed. With Valentin Carboni this season, we have an additional option. Depending on the match situation, he can adapt his position to work with the two forwards or play as an attacking winger. He can maintain width and constantly pressure the opponents when we have two strikers,” Inzaghi explained.

Strengthening the Right Flank

The third question addressed the perceived weaknesses on Inter’s right side, particularly regarding technical finesse. Inzaghi again mentioned Carboni as a potential solution. “Dumfries performed well until December last year, but he encountered some issues later on. In the last few months, he didn't meet his standards, but we saw the old Dumfries during the Euros. If we need to address this position in the transfer market, we will consider it. But don't forget, we also have Carboni,” he said.

Carboni’s name repeatedly coming up indicates Inzaghi's high expectations for the young star. The manager sees Carboni not merely as a fifth striker or a Mezzala midfielder but as a versatile tactical asset who can adapt to various roles, including a winger during aggressive phases and a player capable of one-on-one breakthroughs.

Valentin Carboni: The Tactical Chameleon

Last season, Inter’s frequent tactical shifts were limited due to the influx of new players who were still getting accustomed to the primary formation. With a significant turnover of players—half of whom were new arrivals—frequent changes could have led to confusion and instability. As a result, Inzaghi primarily experimented with tactical shifts in the final minutes of games, yielding limited success.

This season, the situation has changed. The players have a better understanding of the primary tactics, and opponents are well-versed in Inter’s 3-5-2 formation. This makes the importance of a Plan B even more significant. Inzaghi’s confidence in Carboni suggests he sees the young talent as a crucial component of this secondary strategy.

Carboni’s stats support this view. To date, he has played 36 Serie A matches, 14 of which were as an attacking midfielder, scoring once and assisting four times. He also played seven matches as a winger, scoring once. His performances as a forward, however, have been less impactful, suggesting that this might not be his optimal position.

Notably, Carboni's dribbling ability and frequency are superior to many of his Inter teammates. Last season, the top dribbler at Inter was Marcus Thuram, who ranked 28th in the league with 33 successful dribbles in 2,687 minutes—an average of one every 81.4 minutes. Nicolò Barella was next, with 29 successful dribbles in 2,846 minutes, ranking 36th, averaging one every 98.1 minutes. Lautaro Martínez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were around the 100th mark league-wide. Dumfries, meanwhile, was far down the list.

In contrast, Carboni ranked 50th in the league with 24 successful dribbles in just 1,169 minutes, averaging a successful dribble every 40 minutes. His ability to execute clear breakthroughs, especially in densely populated areas around the penalty arc, is noteworthy. If Inzaghi deploys him more frequently in open spaces on the wings this season, Carboni's dribbling prowess could significantly enhance Inter’s offensive threat.

The Road Ahead for Carboni and Inter

Inzaghi’s expectations for Carboni are clear. If Inter can leverage the young star’s abilities effectively, it could transform their tactical versatility. Selling Carboni for a significant sum to fund other transfers is an option, but retaining him and nurturing his development seems a more prudent choice. Compared to gambling on an unproven foreign talent, betting on Carboni’s burgeoning potential appears wiser.

Carboni’s versatility could provide Inzaghi with the tactical flexibility needed to surprise opponents and maintain a competitive edge. As the season progresses, Carboni’s role and performance will be pivotal in determining Inter’s success. His ability to adapt to different positions and execute critical one-on-one plays could make him an invaluable asset.

Inter Milan’s pre-season outlook under Inzaghi is one of cautious optimism and strategic evolution. The manager’s confidence in Valentin Carboni underscores a broader tactical plan aimed at enhancing the team’s unpredictability and offensive potency. As Inter navigates the upcoming season, the development and deployment of Carboni will be a key storyline to watch, potentially shaping the team's fortunes and providing a new dimension to their play.