Inter Milan's Four New Weapons Bring New Hope: Aiming to Reclaim Serie A's Best Set-Piece Team

With the international break over, Italian media have finally shifted their focus back to Serie A. As they look ahead to this weekend's match between Inter Milan and Torino, several tacticians have identified a critical aspect that might decide the game: set pieces. Once the strongest weapon in Inter's arsenal, their set-piece performance dipped last season. According to OPTA data, Torino recently conceded two goals from corners against Juventus. This weekend, they will face an Inter side that has scored the most "inattiva gol" (dead ball goals) in Serie A so far, with five goals from set-pieces in the first eight rounds.

However, there is more to this statistic than meets the eye. While it's true that Inter has scored five goals from dead balls, three of these were penalties. Their true set-piece prowess, reflected in goals from corners and free-kicks, is less impressive, with only two goals. This places them behind teams like Genoa, Atalanta, Frosinone, and Juventus in this regard. Given the well-known tendencies of Serie A refereeing and Inter's style of play, the team cannot rely heavily on winning numerous penalties. Their players generally lack the dribbling prowess to win frequent penalties compared to teams like AC Milan, Juventus, and Napoli.

Italian media, after reviewing Inter's set-piece performance over the past three years, noted that while Inter once dominated Serie A and Europe with their set-piece prowess, last season marked a significant decline. During the 2021-22 season, Inter scored 12 goals from corners in the league, more than Juventus (7) and AC Milan (4) combined. Across all competitions, players like Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Federico Dimarco, and Marcelo Brozović collectively provided over 20 assists from set pieces.

Last season, however, Inter only managed six goals from corners in the league, placing them outside the top six in Serie A, far behind Napoli (16) and Juventus (11). This decline in what was once a key strength was a point of concern that Simone Inzaghi, Inter's coach, addressed multiple times in press conferences. The reasons for this drop were primarily personnel changes and aging players. The likes of Edin Džeko and Danilo D'Ambrosio saw a dramatic decline in their ability to control key areas during set-pieces. The departures of Ivan Perišić and Matías Vecino, along with Milan Škriniar's transfer saga, which forced Matteo Darmian to take a more prominent role, also diminished Inter's aerial threat.

Another factor was the changing roles of key players like Alessandro Bastoni. Unlike his previous seasons, where he played a significant role in attacking set-pieces, last season saw a shift in his responsibilities. Players like Nicolò Barella and Joaquín Correa, due to their playing styles, were less effective in capitalizing on second balls from set-pieces. In summary, Inter's decline in set-piece goals last season can be attributed to two main factors: the aging of key players and a lack of effective second-ball winners.

This summer, Inter made significant squad changes, bringing in 12 new players and releasing 12, which has the potential to greatly enhance their set-piece effectiveness. Italian media have highlighted four players who could make a substantial difference:

1. Benjamin Pavard: One of the strongest defenders in the Bundesliga last season in terms of duels, Pavard is a true "带刀后卫" (attacking defender). In the recent international matches, Pavard scored twice, showcasing the kind of impact he can have.

2. Francesco Acerbi: Before joining Inter, Acerbi was known for his proficiency in scoring from set-pieces, with 21 career goals in Serie A. Last season, although he didn’t find the net for Inter, he did provide assists from set-piece situations. This season, he has already scored, and more can be expected from him.

3. Davide Frattesi: Known for his late runs into the box, transition play, and control of second balls during set-pieces, Frattesi's quick reactions make him a valuable asset. He is considered slightly better than Barella in this regard.

4. Davy Klaassen: Despite not being exceptionally tall, Klaassen has a knack for scoring and assisting from set-pieces. According to his fans on X (formerly Twitter), he scored 100 goals and provided 49 assists during his time at Ajax and Werder Bremen, with 31.54% (47) of these contributions coming from set-pieces. His comprehensive skills in both taking and attacking set-pieces make him a potent addition.

In the first eight rounds of Serie A this season, Inter has scored two goals from corners, showing an improvement from last season. As the new players integrate further into the team, Inter has the potential to reclaim their status as Serie A's top set-piece team. This is a hopeful sign for Inter fans who have longed to see their team dominate in this area once again.

Tactical Evolution and the Road Ahead

Inter Milan's set-piece strategy has always been a blend of creativity and precision. With the new additions, there’s a palpable sense of renewed strength and tactical evolution. Pavard’s defensive prowess combined with his scoring ability adds a dual threat, making Inter more unpredictable during set-pieces. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively will be crucial in tight matches.

Acerbi’s experience and historical success in set-pieces offer a reliable aerial threat. His ability to read the game and position himself perfectly will enhance Inter’s chances during corners and free-kicks. Frattesi’s agility and timing in making late runs into the box provide an additional layer of unpredictability, essential for confusing opposition defenses.

Klaassen’s versatility as a set-piece specialist, capable of both delivering and finishing, introduces a new dimension to Inter’s attack. His ability to score from second balls and create opportunities from scrambles will be vital in breaking down well-organized defenses.

Inter Milan’s strategic focus on set-pieces this season indicates a deliberate attempt to reclaim their past dominance. The integration of players like Pavard, Acerbi, Frattesi, and Klaassen is a testament to this effort. As these players continue to gel with the rest of the squad, Inter’s set-piece potency is expected to rise significantly.

This renewed emphasis on set-pieces is not just about scoring goals but also about instilling fear in opponents. Knowing that every dead-ball situation could be a scoring opportunity for Inter forces teams to play more cautiously, often disrupting their game plans.

As the season progresses, Inter fans have every reason to be optimistic. The blend of experience, tactical acumen, and fresh talent positions Inter Milan to once again be the benchmark for set-piece excellence in Serie A. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining how quickly these new strategies and players can translate potential into consistent performance and results.