Inter Milan's Tactical Shifts Target Major Weaknesses Amid CEO's Stern Warning

After a long two-week wait during the FIFA international break, Inter Milan is set to embark on their next Serie A journey tonight, facing Torino away. The Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino has not been a particularly favorable venue for Inter, with only four victories in their last ten visits over the past decade, indicating that Torino is far from being the pushovers some might think.

Predicted Lineup Changes

According to reports from Sky Sports and Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan will make two changes to their starting lineup. Denzel Dumfries will be replaced by Matteo Darmian as the right wing-back, while Alessandro Bastoni will be substituted by Francesco Acerbi, with Stefan de Vrij rotating into the starting lineup. Both renowned journalists, Balzani and Stoppini, have predicted these changes, suggesting a consensus that lends credibility to these adjustments.

These changes are partly due to the physical condition of Dumfries and Bastoni, who have returned from international duty fatigued and not fit to start. However, tactical considerations also play a role, reflecting Coach Simone Inzaghi’s attempts to address two significant issues within the team.

Reducing Thuram's Workload

One of the critical issues is reducing the burden on Marcus Thuram. Inter's current playing style relies heavily on having a tall forward to act as a focal point, which eases the team's transition from defense to attack. From this perspective, the injured Marko Arnautović was expected to be pivotal, and his return could significantly impact Inter’s strategy. However, with Arnautović still recovering and expected to be back in training in about a week, Thuram remains the only forward with the physical presence to fulfill this role.

The question arises whether Thuram can sustain this demanding role without exhausting himself. Dumfries, known for his physical prowess, could be the key to this problem. Although Dumfries is currently fatigued and not starting, the five-substitution rule means he could still play a crucial role. Bringing Dumfries on in the second half to share Thuram’s workload could be a viable option, allowing Thuram to maintain his effectiveness throughout the match.

Defensive Solidity

The second issue is the recent decline in Inter's defensive solidity. Replacing the attacking Dumfries with the more balanced Darmian and substituting Bastoni, who has occasionally been defensively suspect despite his attacking contributions, with the defensively solid Acerbi, indicates a shift towards a more defense-oriented approach. This might reduce Inter's attacking threat but could enhance their defensive stability.

For critics who demand entertaining, high-scoring matches, this approach might not be ideal. However, as Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta recently emphasized in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter must prioritize winning, even if it means securing “ugly” victories. Marotta's rare direct intervention suggests a significant concern with the team’s defensive lapses in previous matches against Sassuolo and Bologna.

Coach Inzaghi’s Response

Coach Inzaghi has acknowledged these defensive issues and highlighted the importance of improvement. In the pre-match press conference, he stated, “Our defense? We have worked a lot on the backline, but we still need to improve. In the last game, we conceded two avoidable goals. We must progress every day and continue to involve the whole team in defensive efforts.” This focus on defense aligns with the tactical adjustments seen in the predicted lineup.

Using more defensively reliable players like Darmian and Acerbi in the starting lineup and deploying attacking players like Dumfries and Bastoni as substitutes is a prudent strategy. In football, the adage “attack wins games, defense wins championships” holds true. For Inter, defense must be the priority, given the team's history of dropping points despite dominating matches.

Tactical Flexibility

Since Inzaghi joined Inter Milan over two years ago, the team has often showcased new tactical elements after international breaks. This adaptability reflects Inzaghi's dynamic and innovative approach as a coach, constantly seeking improvements and avoiding stagnation. Tonight’s match against Torino will reveal what new strategies and adjustments Inzaghi has in store.

As the match approaches, anticipation builds among Inter fans eager to see how these tactical changes will unfold. If you're ready to watch the game tonight, don’t miss it as Inter Milan aims to address their weaknesses and continue their pursuit of the Serie A title.