The Four-Year Evolution of Inter's New Wingback: A Quality More Valuable Than 12 Goals and 9 Assists

A few months ago, as Inter Milan embarked on their journey to Istanbul for the UEFA Champions League final, legendary defender Giuseppe Bergomi pointed out that merely participating in such a high-stakes match, regardless of the outcome, would profoundly change Simone Inzaghi as a coach. Bergomi's prediction highlighted two key aspects of this anticipated transformation. First, with increased fame and authority, Inzaghi would gain greater confidence in managing the locker room, a shift already evident in the decisions to bring back Alexis Sánchez and retain Stefano Sensi. Both players have a history of strong opinions and high expectations. In previous seasons, they were vocal about their frustration over limited playing time—Sánchez famously sparked the "Lion Controversy," while Sensi’s frustrations played out during interviews and transfer rumors. Despite their potential emotional responses to limited playing time this season, Inzaghi, now more self-assured, views this as a non-issue, believing he can now command the dressing room with authority.

Secondly, Inzaghi is expected to be less influenced by non-sporting factors when distributing playing time and determining player roles. Early in his tenure at Inter, he hesitated to make changes purely from a sporting perspective due to the strong presence of veteran players. However, with several key veterans having departed, this dynamic has shifted. Fans can now look forward to more tactical flexibility and varied player usage from Inzaghi this season.

Currently, Inter faces a potential issue with defensive depth. Benjamin Pavard’s transfer is still being blocked by Thomas Tuchel, Francesco Acerbi's injury status remains uncertain, and Matteo Darmian is not at full fitness. Yann Bisseck, a young talent, will require time to develop. The question now is whether Inter’s current depth in central defense is sufficient for a grueling season across three competitions. Could internal solutions or player repositioning offer more security and options for the defense?

South American coach Tiago Nunes, known for his success with clubs like Corinthians and Grêmio, suggests that Carlos Augusto could be the answer. Nunes, who helped Augusto rise to prominence during their time together at Corinthians, where the young defender caught the eye of Italian scouts, recently shared his insights on the player's development. Nunes stated, "Initially, we didn't see Augusto as a fit for the team because we needed more attacking players, and Augusto was more defensive-minded. But he worked incredibly hard and made himself indispensable through his dedication and attitude. Although he has the ability to push forward and attack space, he is primarily focused on defending and prefers to hold his position. So when I saw him actively participating in the attack at Monza, it was a bit surprising. I think the biggest change since he left Brazil has been his significant improvement in the attacking phase."

Reflecting on Augusto's four-year evolution, it’s clear that his journey has been one of steady growth. During his time at Corinthians, Augusto primarily played as a left-back, center-back, or even as a sweeper in a back-four system. Known for his solid defense and minimal offensive output, Augusto was often the last man during set-piece attacks. When he moved to Monza, his initial role was also defense-focused. In his first season, he played 33 matches across Serie B and the Coppa Italia, with 28 of those appearances coming as a left-back or center-back in a four-man defense. His appearances in more attack-oriented roles, such as a wingback or a wide midfielder in a 3-5-2 system, were few and far between.

In his second season at Monza, Augusto’s versatility began to show as he played 37 matches in the league and cup, splitting his time between center-back and midfield or wingback positions. After Monza’s promotion to Serie A, Augusto played 37 matches in the league and cup competitions, initially starting the season as a center-back. However, his role began to shift, oscillating between wingback and center-back positions. In the fall of last year, Augusto scored goals while playing as a wingback in matches against Spezia and Verona. This success solidified his role as a wingback, and as he became more involved in the attack, his confidence grew, leading to a rapid improvement in his offensive contributions. His teammates began to trust him more with the ball, allowing Augusto to showcase his creativity in the final third.

When Augusto joined Inter, some questioned whether he might be "more attack-focused, less defense-oriented." These concerns were misplaced, as defense has always been the foundation of his game. Over the past four years, Augusto has played 108 matches in Serie B, Serie A, and the Coppa Italia, with only about 30% of those appearances as a wingback. The majority of his games have been as a defender, with nearly 30 of them (21 as a starter and several more as a substitute) at center-back. Analysts and coaches alike have consistently praised Augusto for his "defensive contribution," "blocking the ball," and "duels," rather than just his dribbling, passing, or shooting abilities.

In summary, Augusto’s 12 goals and 9 assists over the past three years in Italy are impressive, and his aspiration to "learn from Roberto Carlos" is certainly ambitious. However, his success is rooted not only in his attacking prowess but also in his defensive skills and physicality. As Tiago Nunes puts it, "Augusto is extremely balanced in both attack and defense. With these valuable qualities, I believe he can continue to make significant progress at Inter."

How Simone Inzaghi will utilize Augusto’s unique skill set remains to be seen. This season, the versatile wingback, who has a proven track record as a center-back, might just be the solution to Inter’s defensive depth concerns.