Simone Inzaghi is continuing to work on new, evolving “versions” of his Inter Milan team ahead of this month’s Champions League clash with Man City.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
By now, the international break routine has become very familiar to Inzaghi at Inter.
The 48-year-old has now been Nerazzurri coach for over three years.
There have been ups and downs across Inzaghi’s first three seasons at Inter, it would be fair to say. And therefore, the mood going into each international break is always a bit different.
This time around, though, things are quite positive.
After a bit of a stuttering start to the campaign, Inter produced a thoroughly convincing win over Atalanta in their third match of the season and last before the break.
The Nerazzurri’s 4-0 demolition of La Dea was an exhibition of just how effective they can be in Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 shape.
By now, the vast majority of Inter’s squad have had at least a year working under the former Lazio coach. In most cases, more than that.
And it showed against Atalanta in how fluidly the team played.
With the ball Inter constantly showed options in possession. And without it, there was impressive defensive coverage.
Inzaghi Still Working On New “Versions” Of Inter As Man City Clash Looms
One theme of Inzaghi’s time at Inter has been that the coach is never content with whatever the latest version of his team looks like.
Against Atalanta, there were a couple key themes that have emerged over the last few months of last season.
Firstly, all three defenders from the back three regularly joined the back three.
Finding ways to get the defensive players involved in the attack while using the midfield to cover has been something Inzaghi has used to make his Inter team more unpredictable.
And perhaps the most eye-catching aspect was the role of Federico Dimarco.
Despite lining up as a wingback in Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system, Dimarco regularly found himself in a central role.
The 26-year-old used his passing range to dictate play throughout the match.
As the scoreline of Friday’s match would suggest, Atalanta had no answers to these tactical ideas.
But things will only get tougher for Inter.
The Nerazzurri face their first truly big test of the season on September 18th. That is when they travel to Manchester to face Manchester City.
The Nerazzurri have gotten their toughest fixture of the Champions League group stage on paper first up.
But Inzaghi believes that his team have evolved greatly since they last met City in the final of the 2022-23 Champions League.
And the coach will be using this international break as a perfect opportunity to refine yet more ideas.
