Inter Milan's True Workhorses Rival Acerbi and Darmian: Key Declines and a Golden Opportunity for Young Talent

Recent reports from Italian media have spotlighted the members of Inter Milan's coaching staff, highlighting Filippo Lorenzon, the "Chief Analyst," and Marcelo Muratore, the "Chief Data Analyst." These profiles shed light on a key difference between Simone Inzaghi and his predecessors, Antonio Conte and Luciano Spalletti. Unlike the former managers who often clashed with the club's hierarchy, Inzaghi is seen more as a researcher than an artist, relying heavily on technological tools for game assessment and player guidance.

This reliance on data is evident in Inter's current coaching setup, which includes 22 members below the first assistant coach, Massimiliano Farris. If you include the four medical staff, the total rises to 26. Out of these, 15 members are dedicated to data collection and analysis, reflecting the staff's habitual use of data to identify issues.

A major concern for Inter’s coaching staff, as highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport, is the recent dip in form of Hakan Çalhanoğlu. Over the past three weeks, Çalhanoğlu's performance has noticeably declined, significantly impacting Inter's effectiveness. His activity level has dropped dramatically, with his average ball recoveries per game falling from 6.56 to 3.25. Additionally, his error rate has surged. Previously, he won 4.39 duels per game with a success rate of 56%. Now, he only manages two duels per game with a 39% success rate. Furthermore, his average number of errors per game has risen from 8-9 to nearly 20.

Çalhanoğlu is a linchpin for Inter. While Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are also crucial, Çalhanoğlu's mistakes can undermine the efforts of even the best-performing teammates. The root cause of his dip in form is clear: fatigue. Despite considerable rotation in the UEFA Champions League and Coppa Italia, the demanding schedule has taken its toll. As the season progressed, players with fewer opportunities for rest inevitably showed signs of exhaustion.

Damian’s form has declined since returning to the wing-back position, and Francesco Acerbi showed clear signs of fatigue in the final stages of the last match. Calls for these two "workhorses" to rest have been growing louder. However, in terms of overall minutes played this season, Çalhanoğlu ranks among the top two in terms of fatigue.

Excluding the unique case of the goalkeeper, the top five Inter players in terms of total playing time across all competitions are Acerbi (1,845 minutes), Mkhitaryan (1,790 minutes), Çalhanoğlu (1,767 minutes), Lautaro Martínez (1,762 minutes), and Darmian (1,759 minutes). Among these, Mkhitaryan has no international duty, and both Lautaro and Darmian are substitutes for their national teams. Considering the total workload, Çalhanoğlu’s burden is heavier than most, especially given his central role in the Turkish national team.

Çalhanoğlu is not known for his endurance, and his position as a central midfielder is one of the most physically demanding. The data highlights his struggle with stamina, making his recent performance issues unsurprising.

Addressing the Problem

The media suggests that Inter should reduce Çalhanoğlu's workload. With the team now out of the Coppa Italia, they can afford a more relaxed schedule with potential one-match weeks, allowing for some much-needed rest. The coaching staff must also rethink their substitution strategy. Despite Çalhanoğlu starting all 22 matches this season, he only played the full 90 minutes in six of them, being substituted 16 times. However, only twice was he taken off before the 75th minute (against Salernitana and Red Bull Salzburg), and these early substitutions were due to yellow cards rather than fatigue.

Inzaghi’s reluctance to rest Çalhanoğlu underscores his reliance on the midfielder, but this heavy dependence leads to excessive strain. Substituting him at the 88th or 90th minute offers little relief. To use their "best steel on the sharp edge," Inter should consider giving Çalhanoğlu more rest, even if it means substituting him earlier. Upcoming matches against teams like Hellas Verona and Monza present opportunities for strategic rest. Ensuring Çalhanoğlu is in peak condition for critical fixtures like the Italian Super Cup, the February Derby d'Italia, and the Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid will benefit Inter significantly.

This scenario also opens a door for Kristjan Asllani. So far this season, Asllani has made 17 appearances, participating in 68% of Inter’s matches, a significant increase from last season. Although he has only started three matches and often comes on late, totaling just 423 minutes, Inzaghi’s increasing reliance on the Albanian youngster is evident. If the coach's strategic use of Asllani in the first half of the season was to prepare for such moments, then now is the time for these preparations to pay off.

Strategic Rest and Rotation

Inter's current predicament highlights the need for strategic player management. Ensuring key players are rested and ready for crucial matches requires thoughtful rotation and substitution strategies. By leveraging the depth of their squad and trusting in young talents like Asllani, Inter can navigate the rigors of the season more effectively.

The upcoming weeks will test Inzaghi’s ability to balance his reliance on star players with the necessity of maintaining their physical condition. Reducing Çalhanoğlu’s workload while giving more opportunities to players like Asllani will be critical for Inter’s success in both domestic and European competitions.

In conclusion, the reliance on data and technology within Inter’s coaching staff underscores a modern approach to player management. By addressing the issues highlighted through data analysis, Inter can ensure their key players are in optimal condition for the challenges ahead.