Inter Milan's Serie A Opener: Strategic Deployment of Two Key Players in Preparation for the Expanded Champions League

After a long and much-anticipated wait, the Serie A season is finally set to begin, with Inter Milan facing Genoa in their opening match. The upcoming game has sparked considerable debate among fans and pundits, particularly surrounding the potential roles of two players who could be pivotal for Inter this season: Yann Aurel Bisseck and Mehdi Taremi. These players represent not just individual tactical choices, but key components in Inter's broader strategy as they prepare for the challenges of an expanded UEFA Champions League campaign.

Bisseck: The Rising Star in Inter's Defense

One of the most hotly debated topics ahead of Inter’s first match is the expected inclusion of Bisseck in the starting lineup. Reports from major Italian media outlets, such as Sky Sports and La Gazzetta dello Sport, along with observations from pre-match training, all suggest that Bisseck is set to start. This decision has stirred a variety of opinions. On fan forums like CN, some argue that pairing Bisseck with Matteo Darmian might be too risky, especially with a more experienced option like Benjamin Pavard available. Pavard, known for his disciplined defensive play, could bring stability, particularly in a high-pressure game like this.

Moreover, several prominent voices on social media platforms, especially from the North Stand ultras, have voiced their preference for Pavard. Many believe that after a difficult European Championship, where Pavard was largely sidelined, he needs to regain his confidence and form through regular club football. For them, starting him in the opening game could be an ideal way to begin this process.

However, Simone Inzaghi's decision to start Bisseck is rooted in sound technical reasoning. During the pre-season, Bisseck has consistently been one of Inter's best performers, both in terms of fitness and form. His strong showings over the past month have earned him the right to start, a reward for his hard work and consistency. On the other hand, Pavard joined the squad relatively late, meaning he’s still catching up on match fitness and tactical integration. Additionally, with Stefan de Vrij ruled out due to injury and questions over Francesco Acerbi's stamina to last a full 90 minutes, having Pavard as a high-quality option on the bench is a necessary precaution.

This tactical decision reflects a broader strategy by Inzaghi to maximize the contributions of players who might not have been regular starters in the previous season. By giving Bisseck a starting role, Inzaghi is not only rewarding good form but also preparing his squad for the rigors of a season that will demand contributions from every player, especially with the expanded Champions League format on the horizon.

Taremi: The Impact Sub Ready to Make His Mark

Mehdi Taremi is another player generating significant buzz ahead of the season opener. During pre-season, Taremi has been in excellent form, scoring five goals before being sidelined briefly with a minor muscle issue. He has since returned to full training and is expected to feature in the match against Genoa, though likely not from the start. The coaching staff is considering giving him around 30 minutes of play, possibly extending to an entire half depending on how the game progresses.

La Gazzetta dello Sport recently highlighted a critical issue from the 2023-24 season: the lack of depth in Inter’s forward line. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram played an overwhelming majority of the minutes, with Martínez clocking in 3,461 minutes and Thuram 3,366 minutes. In stark contrast, their backups, Marko Arnautović and Alexis Sánchez, each played just over 1,100 minutes. This imbalance created a rigid hierarchy within the squad, leading to a situation where the starting forwards were rarely rotated, potentially risking burnout in key matches.

To address this, Inter aims to adopt a more flexible rotation system, inspired by successful teams like Manchester City and Real Madrid, who often employ a “2+1+1” or “1+2+1” structure. This means having two clear starters, a semi-regular starter, and a reliable substitute, creating three tiers of players within the squad. This system allows for more balanced rotation, keeps players fresh, and ensures that the entire squad remains match-ready throughout the season. The last time Inter employed a similar rotation strategy was when they reached the UEFA Champions League final, with Lautaro, Romelu Lukaku, and Edin Džeko sharing the forward duties more evenly.

This season, the coaching staff hopes Taremi can fill that crucial role of the semi-regular starter, providing depth and quality in attack. Inzaghi has already shown his intent to rotate the squad more effectively, a strategy that will be essential with the expanded Champions League format this year. By introducing Taremi gradually, Inzaghi can integrate him into the team’s dynamics while also maintaining the fitness and form of the more established starters.

Preparing for the Champions League's Expanded Format

The expanded Champions League format has been a major talking point in Italy. This season, the tournament will feature eight group-stage matches for each team, a significant increase from previous years. The top eight teams from the group stage will advance directly to the Round of 16, while the teams finishing between 9th and 24th will enter a two-legged playoff to secure the remaining spots in the knockout rounds. For a team like Inter, this means preparing for at least 10 challenging matches to secure progression beyond the group stage—a substantial increase from the six matches typically required.

Inzaghi has been vocal about his desire to improve Inter's performance in the Champions League this season. After winning the Serie A title last year, there is a strong expectation that Inter will at least reach the Round of 16 in Europe. However, with the added challenges of the new format, this will be a significantly tougher task. Given the competitive nature of the Champions League, it’s unlikely that Inter will finish in the top eight, meaning they will likely need to navigate the additional playoff round to secure their place in the knockout stages.

The increase in Champions League fixtures will have a cascading effect throughout the season, adding more midweek matches and potentially affecting over a dozen Serie A games. This means that effective squad rotation will not just be advantageous but essential. From the very first round of Serie A, Inter must begin managing the workload of their key players to ensure they have the stamina and freshness needed for success on multiple fronts.

Inzaghi has repeatedly stressed the importance of utilizing players who saw limited action last season. His focus on rotating the squad from the start of the domestic campaign is a clear indication of this approach. The decisions to feature players like Bisseck and Taremi in the opening match against Genoa are not just tactical choices for this particular game, but also part of a larger strategy aimed at sustaining a high level of performance across all competitions throughout the season.

As the season kicks off, Inter Milan fans are understandably excited. After a frustrating transfer window, the focus now shifts to the pitch, where the real action begins. With a challenging season ahead, the effectiveness of Inzaghi’s strategies will be closely scrutinized. All eyes are on the first match, and the potential of an exhilarating campaign for the Nerazzurri.