Serie A Round 3: Inter Milan Showcases New Signings, Torino Sets an Attacking Tone

The third round of Serie A action kicked off in the early hours of August 31, featuring two exciting fixtures that highlighted new additions for both Inter Milan and Torino. Inter's main striker Lautaro Martínez was sidelined due to injury, and his replacement, new signing Mehdi Taremi, may not have found the net, but his performance was nevertheless impactful, causing significant problems for the opposing defense and providing a crucial assist. Meanwhile, Torino's defensive strength may have slightly diminished compared to last season, but this seems to have liberated their attacking line, as they have scored three goals against two Champions League teams in their first two matches, earning four points. Their new coach, Vanoli, has at least temporarily won the respect of the fans.

Inter Milan vs. Atalanta - Which Newcomer Will Prevail?

Inter Milan finally secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Lecce at home last round. With Lautaro out, head coach Simone Inzaghi handed a start to Iranian international Taremi, who recently joined from Porto on a free transfer. Additionally, Benjamin Pavard returned to the starting lineup to replace Bisseck, who had been relegated to the bench after a poor performance involving a handball in the previous match.

Inter wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, breaking the deadlock just five minutes into the match. Federico Dimarco made a breakthrough down the left and delivered a cross into the box. Taremi's flicked header caused chaos in the Lecce defense, setting up Matteo Darmian, who was left unmarked at the far post. With composure, Darmian looped a header into the far corner of the net. The Lecce defenders were caught too far from the three Inter players attacking the box. Given Inter’s physical superiority and the slight running start they had, Lecce's defenders had little chance of winning the aerial duel.

Taremi's physical presence was a standout feature of the match. Besides his header assist, he shielded the ball menacingly in the box on another occasion, nearly forcing a foul from the opposition. Taremi has proven to be a quick fit in Inzaghi's system, underscoring the manager's tactical acumen in utilizing his new recruits effectively. Now, fans are eagerly waiting to see when another new signing, Marko Arnautović, will make his own mark.

Atalanta, who had stormed to the top of the table with a 4-0 win over Lecce in the opening round, was brought crashing back to earth in their second match. They fell 2-1 away to Torino, who deployed a classic Italian counter-attacking strategy to great effect. Atalanta dominated much of the match, with new Italian international Mateo Retegui opening the scoring in the 26th minute with a header, showcasing the form that saw him impress in the do-or-die Euro qualifier against Croatia. Though Italy's results in that campaign were underwhelming, Retegui's development has been visible to all.

After taking the lead, Atalanta hoped to control the match as they did in their first outing, but their lack of game management allowed Torino too many counter-attacking opportunities, ultimately conceding two breakaway goals. Atalanta’s attempts to equalize saw efforts from Retegui and De Ketelaere hit the post, but they were unable to salvage a point.

Inter has now defeated Atalanta five times in a row, with their tactical setup increasingly resembling the peak years of Juventus, demonstrating a similarly well-rounded structure. However, Atalanta's fighting spirit cannot be underestimated, and they have shown they can surprise more established teams. This match promises a clash where both sides will aim to display their full potential.

Venezia vs. Torino - Beware of the Counter-Attack

After a two-season absence, Venezia has returned to Serie A. Their first two matches saw them face Lazio and Fiorentina, both teams with aspirations of qualifying for European competitions. Considering the strength of their opposition, securing a point from these two away games is a respectable outcome for Venezia fans. In their match against Fiorentina, Venezia was well aware of their limitations and adopted a strategy focused entirely on defense. Goalkeeper Joronen was in fine form, making 11 saves, while the defenders showed strong awareness in clearing second balls, helping to keep the scoreline at 0-0.

Following the departure of former head coach Ivan Jurić, Torino fans feared their defensive structure might crumble. And indeed, the first two rounds of this season revealed some defensive vulnerabilities, with all three goals conceded coming from crosses. Particularly in the opening match against AC Milan, Torino conceded twice in the final ten minutes, losing a hard-fought lead.

However, in their most recent match against a rampaging Atalanta side, Torino showed no signs of fear. The team employed a smart tactical approach and managed to come from behind to win. Both of their first two opponents this season are Champions League participants, boasting greater strength and ambition than Torino. This week's opponent, Venezia, represents a different challenge altogether, indicating that Torino will likely adopt a more offensive strategy. They have a chance to play to their full potential on the road, while Venezia may struggle to shine even at home.

The Tactical Adaptations of Inter Milan and Torino

This week’s matches provide insights into the evolving tactical strategies of both Inter Milan and Torino. For Inter, the adaptation appears seamless, with new players like Taremi immediately making an impact, not just through goals but by fitting into the team’s fluid system. Taremi’s ability to hold up play and bring others into the attack has given Inter another dimension, and his physical presence has already proven to be a handful for opposing defenses.

Inzaghi’s approach shows a commitment to tactical flexibility. By bringing in players who can adapt to multiple roles and situations, he is building a squad capable of competing at the highest levels domestically and in Europe. Pavard’s return to the starting lineup also reinforces the defense after Bisseck’s error-prone display, underlining the importance of experience in maintaining tactical discipline.

Meanwhile, Torino's new coach Vanoli has brought a fresh attacking outlook to the team. While Torino's defense has shown signs of vulnerability, their newfound offensive freedom is yielding results. Playing against two top-tier opponents has highlighted the potential of Vanoli's tactical shift. However, facing Venezia provides a different test altogether: can Torino maintain their attacking verve while also shoring up their defensive gaps?

This shift from a primarily defensive posture to one that embraces attacking play is a significant change for Torino. While the initial results are promising, the real challenge will be balancing this new approach against teams of varying strengths. Venezia, coming off two tough matches, will be desperate to secure points in front of their home fans. Torino, meanwhile, will look to impose themselves as the dominant side, a role they have not often played in recent seasons.

Looking Ahead

As the Serie A season progresses, Inter Milan and Torino will continue to refine their strategies and integrate new signings. Inter’s tactical depth and flexibility make them a formidable opponent, and with players like Taremi fitting in so quickly, they are showing early signs of being a well-rounded contender. For Torino, the challenge will be to maintain their attacking freedom while solidifying their defense, especially against teams like Venezia, who may sit deep and counter.

Both teams have shown that they are capable of adapting and evolving, and this season promises to be one of tactical intrigue and unexpected twists. With new players making an immediate impact and coaches experimenting with different strategies, Serie A fans have plenty to look forward to in the weeks ahead.