Inter’s Multifaceted Attack Dominates Serie A: A Tactical Masterclass in "Inzaghi-ism"

After Inter Milan’s resounding 6-0 victory over Lazio, La Gazzetta dello Sport declared, “The Declaration of Inzaghi-ism Shines Bright on the Banks of the Tiber.” Similarly, Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia repeatedly referenced the term “Inzaghi-ism” during their analysis. But what exactly is “Inzaghi-ism”?

A popular term on Italian social media, “Inzaghi-ism” encapsulates Simone Inzaghi’s footballing philosophy, blending key tactical elements into a cohesive and innovative approach. From a dynamic, multi-faceted attack to tactical creativity, Inzaghi’s methods have propelled Inter to unprecedented success this season.

A Flourishing Multi-Pronged Attack

One of the hallmarks of “Inzaghi-ism” is Inter’s ability to score from multiple sources. La Gazzetta dello Sport previously highlighted how the coaching staff addressed a perceived lack of goals during the November international break. Their solution? A comprehensive tactical overhaul.

Since returning from the FIFA break, Inter has scored 14 goals in just three Serie A matches (excluding postponed fixtures), with contributions from eight different players, including Joaquin Correa, Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, Marcus Thuram, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Augusto. Remarkably, nine of those goals came from non-strikers, a rarity in Serie A.

Inter’s attacking prowess has shattered records. The Nerazzurri have scored 47 away goals in 2024, a new benchmark, and for the first time in their history, had six different players find the net in a single Serie A match. After just 15 league games, 14 different players have already scored for Inter, the highest tally in Serie A.

Even those yet to score, such as Marko Arnautović and Mehdi Taremi, possess the potential to extend this tally. Defensive stalwarts like Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni, as well as emerging talents like Tajon Buchanan, are also capable of contributing to Inter’s goal tally.

Balanced Scoring Across All Positions

Another defining trait of Inzaghi’s philosophy is the offensive contribution from every position. According to Sky Sport Italia, Inter’s 39 open-play goals this season (excluding own goals) are distributed remarkably evenly: 17 from forwards, 12 from central midfielders, eight from wingbacks, and two from center-backs.

Even players who haven’t scored have significantly impacted Inter’s attack. Bastoni, for instance, has provided four assists, while Acerbi, Pavard, Kristjan Asllani, and Taremi have also registered assists in Serie A. This balanced distribution underscores Inter’s versatility and the effectiveness of Inzaghi’s system.

Tactical Innovation and Positional Flexibility

“Inzaghi-ism” thrives on tactical flexibility and positional creativity. Traditional footballing roles—strikers scoring goals, wide players delivering crosses, and center-backs focusing solely on defense—are often redefined under Inzaghi.

A prime example was Inter’s match against Lazio. Facing a high-pressing and centrally congested defensive setup, Inter adapted by bypassing their usual playmaker, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and opting for direct passes from wide center-backs (Bisseck and Bastoni) to the forwards.

Strikers Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram frequently dropped deep into their own half, shielding and distributing the ball before launching quick passing sequences to release advancing wingbacks. Simultaneously, midfielders like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Barella pushed forward, assuming the roles of advanced attackers.

This fluid positional interchange repeatedly dismantled Lazio’s press, earning widespread praise from pundits and former players across social media. Inzaghi’s willingness to deploy his forwards as “false 10s” has drawn comparisons to his earlier innovations, such as Lautaro’s role as a “false 9” last season.

Even The Evening Standard in London highlighted Inzaghi’s tactical ingenuity, contrasting it with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s perceived rigidity in attack.

Striker Development: A Hallmark of Inzaghi’s System

“Inzaghi-ism” also emphasizes the continuous improvement of strikers under his tutelage. According to Opta, Marcus Thuram has been Serie A’s most prolific forward in 2024, leading the league in goals (17) and goal contributions (goals plus assists).

This is a remarkable transformation for Thuram, who managed only a handful of goals in 2023 across Europe’s top five leagues. Previously, his career-high for goals in a single season was 13. With 11 goals in just 15 Serie A matches this season, Thuram is poised to shatter his personal record.

From Lautaro Martínez’s breakout performances last season to Ciro Immobile’s resurgence at Lazio and now Thuram’s rise, Inzaghi has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to elevate his strikers’ performances.

The Pillars of “Inzaghi-ism”

“Inzaghi-ism” is built on several key pillars: a multi-pronged attack, balanced contributions across all positions, tactical flexibility, and striker development. Combined with Inzaghi’s reputation as a “cup master” and his impressive Champions League record, this philosophy has made Inter one of the most dynamic and successful teams in Italian football.

With Simone Inzaghi at the helm, Inter Milan continues to set new benchmarks, both statistically and tactically, embodying the very essence of “Inzaghi-ism.”