Why Inter Milan’s Defense Struggles in Serie A Compared to the Champions League: Inzaghi’s Plan to Reinforce the Backline

Inter Milan has once again established itself as one of Europe’s most formidable teams, particularly in the Champions League, where they’ve consistently put on strong defensive performances. However, a growing concern for Simone Inzaghi’s side has been their contrasting form in Serie A. While Inter has displayed defensive resilience on European nights, especially against the likes of Manchester City, their defensive performance in domestic competition has left much to be desired. This raises an important question: Why does Inter’s defense excel in Europe but falter in Serie A? Let's delve into the tactical intricacies and reasons behind this disparity and examine how Inzaghi plans to strengthen the team’s backline moving forward.

Inter Milan’s European Fortress

Inter’s performances in the Champions League have been nothing short of exceptional when it comes to defense. In their first two group-stage matches of the current campaign, they kept clean sheets against strong opposition, showcasing an impressive ability to shut down attacks even when under pressure. Notably, this is the same Inter team that reached the Champions League final last season, where they faced Manchester City, arguably the most dangerous attacking team in Europe. Despite being the underdogs, Inter’s defensive structure held firm, limiting City’s opportunities and keeping the game tight until the very end.

This defensive success is not a coincidence. Inzaghi’s tactical approach in Europe is based on a more conservative game plan, where Inter often drop deeper and invite pressure. By maintaining a compact shape, Inter reduces the amount of space available for opponents to exploit. The entire team is drilled to defend collectively, with the midfield and wide players providing support to the backline. This tactical setup has proven particularly effective in Europe, where matches tend to be more balanced, and teams are often content with more cautious, risk-averse strategies.

One of the key statistics that illustrates this approach is the number of touches opponents have in Inter’s penalty area during Champions League matches. On average, opposing teams record 33.5 touches in the Inter box per game, a relatively high number. Additionally, the average number of shots Inter faces in the Champions League is 16.5 per match. Despite these figures, Inter has successfully kept clean sheets due to their disciplined defensive shape and the stellar form of goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

The Serie A Struggles: A Different Story

In contrast to their Champions League displays, Inter’s defensive form in Serie A has been a cause for concern. Despite being one of the top teams in the league, Inter has conceded in multiple matches where they would have been expected to shut out the opposition. So far, Inter has only managed two clean sheets in the league, against Lecce and Atalanta. However, in matches against teams like Genoa, Monza, AC Milan, and Udinese, they have failed to prevent the opposition from finding the back of the net.

This inconsistent defensive form has sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike, with many questioning why Inter struggles defensively in the league. In contrast to Europe, where Inter seems to thrive in defensive situations, Serie A presents a different challenge. The team’s high defensive line in domestic competition leaves them vulnerable to quick transitions and counterattacks, particularly against sides that are happy to sit back and absorb pressure before hitting on the break.

One of the most telling statistics in this regard is the reduction in touches opponents have in Inter’s penalty area during Serie A matches. On average, opposing teams manage just 17 touches per game inside Inter’s box, significantly lower than in the Champions League. Likewise, the number of shots Inter faces in Serie A is 10.7 per match, also lower than in Europe. Paradoxically, despite these lower figures, Inter has struggled to keep clean sheets in Serie A. This suggests that Inter’s problems stem not from the frequency of opposition attacks but from how they deal with defensive transitions and moments of vulnerability when playing higher up the pitch.

The Tactical Disparity: Why Inter Excel in Europe but Struggle Domestically

The key difference between Inter’s defensive performances in the Champions League and Serie A lies in their tactical approach. In Europe, Inter often plays in a more defensive posture, with the team dropping deeper to soak up pressure. This suits Inter’s strengths, as they are more comfortable defending in numbers and relying on their positional discipline to deny space in and around their penalty area.

In contrast, Serie A matches tend to see Inter adopt a more aggressive, attacking approach, with the team pushing higher up the field. While this allows Inter to dominate possession and create more chances, it also exposes them defensively. With their defensive line pushed further up the pitch, opponents in Serie A have fewer opportunities to attack, but when they do, they often exploit the space behind Inter’s backline. This has led to several instances where Inter has been caught out on the counterattack or during quick transitions.

Moreover, Inter’s squad composition plays a role in this defensive vulnerability. The team’s aging defense, particularly with players like Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavard, is less suited to defending high up the pitch. Pavard, for instance, has been used in a more advanced role in Serie A this season, often pushing further forward in attack. While this has added another dimension to Inter’s offensive play, it has also left the team more exposed defensively, as Pavard’s positioning makes it difficult for him to track back in time to prevent counterattacks.

Inzaghi’s decision to rotate heavily in Serie A has also impacted the team’s defensive consistency. With Inter competing on multiple fronts, Inzaghi has opted to rest key players in the league, prioritizing freshness for European fixtures. This rotation policy, while necessary given the packed schedule, has meant that Inter’s defense has lacked the cohesion and understanding that comes from regular game time together. Critics have pointed to this as a key reason for Inter’s defensive struggles in Serie A.

Defensive Statistics: A Closer Look

Looking at the defensive statistics, the disparity between Inter’s performances in Serie A and the Champions League becomes even clearer. In Serie A, Inter boasts a 55% success rate in defensive duels and averages 13.8 successful defensive actions per match. Additionally, their aerial duel success rate is 50%. These numbers are higher than their corresponding Champions League figures, where Inter’s defensive duel success rate is 48%, with 10.5 defensive actions per match and a 48% aerial duel success rate.

Yet, despite these superior domestic statistics, Inter’s defensive output in Serie A has been subpar compared to their Champions League form. This further supports the notion that it is not Inter’s defensive ability that is the issue in Serie A but rather their tactical setup and the nature of the matches they play in.

Inzaghi’s Plan to Rebuild the Defensive Wall

Aware of the defensive shortcomings in Serie A, Inzaghi is working on adjustments to strengthen Inter’s backline in the league. Italian media outlets, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, have reported that Inzaghi is likely to implement a more cautious defensive strategy in upcoming Serie A matches. The plan is to bring the defensive line deeper, similar to the approach used in the Champions League, where Inter has excelled. By playing deeper, Inter can reduce the space behind their defense, making it more difficult for opponents to hit them on the break.

Additionally, Inzaghi is expected to rotate the squad more selectively, ensuring that key defenders like Pavard and Alessandro Bastoni are used in a more conservative role, allowing them to focus on defensive duties rather than pushing too far forward. This tactical shift could help Inter find the balance between their attacking ambitions and defensive solidity in Serie A.

The Path Forward for Inter

If Inter wants to compete for the Serie A title this season, tightening up their defense will be crucial. Teams like Napoli, Juventus, and AC Milan have already shown that they are capable of capitalizing on any slip-ups from their rivals, and Inter cannot afford to drop more points due to defensive lapses.

Inzaghi’s willingness to adapt his tactics and focus on defensive stability is a promising sign for Inter fans. If the team can replicate their European defensive form in Serie A, they will be well-placed to challenge for the Scudetto and maintain their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs.

As the season progresses, Inter’s ability to defend effectively in both domestic and European competitions will be key to their success. With Inzaghi’s tactical adjustments and the potential for more disciplined defensive performances, the Nerazzurri may yet build the defensive fortress they need to conquer both Serie A and the Champions League.