Standing Tall: Inter Survives Against Udinese's Aerial Threats as Young Star Steps Up

Following the disappointment of losing the Milan Derby, Inter Milan faced a formidable challenge against Udinese, one of Serie A's most in-form teams this season. The match was deemed highly risky for Inter, with Udinese showing substantial improvement compared to last year. While Inter’s points tally after the first five games was seven fewer than last season, Udinese boasted a seven-point improvement over the same period, earning them the title of “fastest riser” in the league. Their biggest weapon? Height. Unfortunately for Inter, this strength aligned perfectly with one of their most glaring weaknesses this season — aerial defense.

During the post-match press conference, coach Simone Inzaghi was asked pointedly whether Inter’s vulnerability in defending aerial balls had become a major concern. The statistics supported this worry. Inter conceded two goals in three separate matches over the first six rounds this season, compared to just two instances over the first 22 matches of last season. Defensive struggles in the air had become a recurring issue for the Nerazzurri — the derby defeat came from a Gabbia header, and they narrowly salvaged a point against Monza after Dany Mota’s late header threatened to cost them the match. Even in this match against Udinese, a well-timed header saw the Bianconeri momentarily draw level.

Inter’s struggles in dealing with high balls were compounded by the aerial superiority of their opponents. Udinese's squad is built with height as one of its main advantages. Out of their roughly 20 players, 10 are over 1.9 meters tall, and nine more stand between 1.85 and 1.9 meters. For this particular match against Inter, Udinese fielded 10 players over 1.85 meters tall, including a 2.06-meter center-back and a 2.01-meter forward, both of whom were not goalkeepers. With such an arsenal of towering players, Udinese posed a significant threat to Inter’s already shaky aerial defense.

Despite these factors, however, Inter surprisingly held their ground in aerial duels. Post-match statistics showed that Inter didn’t fare as poorly as expected in contested headers. In fact, Inter won 43 of the 77 duels, with a 57% success rate in aerial challenges. A significant reason for this was the standout performance of Yann Bisseck, who won seven out of eight individual duels, boasting a 75% success rate in aerial battles. Bisseck’s dominant performance in the air earned him the title of the match’s “air battle king,” and he helped to cover up what had been a major flaw in Inter’s game. It was clear that Inzaghi and his coaching staff had prepared the team well for Udinese’s high-flying approach, and their plan worked to a considerable degree.

Inter's Young Guns Step Up

While Inter’s performance had many highlights, including Lautaro Martínez breaking his goal drought and Davide Frattesi’s continued strong form, Bisseck stood out as the protagonist of this match. His post-game comments added to his growing reputation as a player who is unafraid of big challenges.

Before the game, Bisseck was asked how he would handle physically dominant players like Davies, Thuram, and Udinese’s towering forwards. His reply was confident and defiant: “They have many tall players, but you have to learn to adapt. The coach reminded us of that. But we also have tall, strong players!” In other words, Bisseck was ready for the fight, and his performance proved that he was not backing down.

In a broader sense, Bisseck’s emergence could be crucial for Inter’s ability to address their aerial weaknesses. While his height alone isn’t the reason for optimism, his ability to bring youthful energy and strength to a squad that has often appeared sluggish and fatigued in key moments is a promising development. Inter has been criticized this season for being too old, too cautious, and lacking the cutting edge in crucial phases of matches. In games where they need to control the tempo or hold onto a lead, Inter has at times slowed down too much, appearing more focused on preservation than on sealing victories. Injecting younger, more dynamic players like Bisseck into the lineup could be the remedy for this passive approach.

Why Did Inzaghi Choose Bisseck Over Pavard?

One of the tactical decisions that raised eyebrows during the match was Inzaghi’s choice to substitute Alessandro Bastoni with Stefan de Vrij, while shifting Bisseck to the left center-back position instead of bringing on Benjamin Pavard. Many fans were quick to question why Pavard, one of Inter’s high-profile signings, wasn’t given more playing time. Was there something behind Inzaghi’s decision?

It appears the reasoning was tactical. Udinese’s 2.01-meter striker Luka is a major physical presence, and Inzaghi likely opted to use his taller defenders to combat Udinese’s aerial threat. By moving Bisseck to the left, the coach ensured that Inter had the height and physicality needed to counter Luka’s power. Inzaghi’s decision paid off, as Bisseck adapted to the challenge and helped neutralize Udinese’s late-game aerial assaults. This match provided a clear example of the importance of tactical flexibility, and Bisseck’s willingness to shift positions showed his versatility as a defender.

After the game, Bisseck commented on his positional change: “I actually prefer playing on the left. Before I came here, I always played in that position. Ultimately, the coach tells me where to go, and I’m happy to help the team wherever I can.” Such adaptability makes Bisseck an even more valuable asset for Inter moving forward, especially in the context of Inzaghi’s preferred 3-5-2 formation. If Bisseck can prove his worth on both sides of the defense, his chances of securing more playing time — and even a starting role — will undoubtedly increase. This versatility will not only benefit Bisseck but also provide Inter with greater flexibility in managing their defensive lineup.

Frattesi and Lautaro Shine

In addition to Bisseck’s stellar performance, two other players deserve recognition: Lautaro Martínez and Davide Frattesi. Lautaro, who had been struggling in front of goal, finally broke his goal drought in this match. His goal helped to relieve some of the pressure that had been mounting on the Inter captain, and it is clear that shaking off the scoring slump has lifted his spirits. The Argentine forward looked like a different player after breaking through, and his leadership will be crucial for Inter in the upcoming fixtures.

Frattesi, meanwhile, has quietly been one of Inter’s most productive players this season. In his last six starts, Frattesi has been directly involved in six goals, with three goals and three assists to his name. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, and he has made a strong case for more regular starts in Inzaghi’s team. Frattesi’s box-to-box energy, combined with his ability to contribute offensively, offers Inter a dynamic element that was missing in previous seasons.

Even Joaquin Correa, who came on as a substitute, had moments of brilliance. Though often criticized for inconsistency, Correa’s flashes of quality in this match demonstrated his potential to be an important contributor when called upon.

A New Dynamic for Inter?

While there were many reasons to be optimistic after this victory over Udinese, Bisseck’s role in plugging Inter’s aerial deficiencies stands out as a key takeaway. Inter’s struggles with defending high balls had cost them points earlier in the season, but with Bisseck stepping up, there’s hope that this weakness can be addressed. His emergence also speaks to a larger need for youthful exuberance and energy within the squad, qualities that have been missing at times this season.

Inter’s squad, built around experience, now has to balance the need for veterans with the importance of fresh legs and raw power. If Inzaghi can integrate players like Bisseck and Frattesi into the starting eleven more regularly, it may help Inter overcome some of the tactical and physical challenges they have faced. Bisseck’s ability to play on both sides of the defense could offer more versatility in the 3-5-2 system, giving Inzaghi additional options as he seeks to rotate his lineup over the course of a long season.

As Inter look to regain their consistency and push for the top of the Serie A standings, the emergence of young stars like Bisseck could provide the spark they need to overcome their shortcomings. The victory over Udinese might just be a turning point — one where Inter finally starts winning their battles, both on the ground and in the air.