Affordable and tempting. That’s what Simone Inzaghi offered when he was recruited by Inter early last season. Inzaghi does not need an expensive squad at Lazio to prove his talent in concocting a beautiful game that is beautiful to enjoy. Short and fast passes, dynamic movement between players and guaranteed goals in every match are Inzaghi’s trademarks.
Inzaghi was plotted to replace Antonio Conte, who had the opposite style of play. Conte’s Inter are a defensively disciplined side, then counter-attack with one-twos, relying on the speed of their wings and attackers to take advantage of the spaces left by opponents.
For some, this is a dinosaur ploy. Outdated, old school and cowardly. Peter Crouch had joked about Conte’s tactics which he now brought to Tottenham Hotspur, “I play football like that at Stoke City.”
An allusion to defensive football which is generally used by lower-tier teams. After all, with this tactic Conte also succeeded in bringing Inter to break the chain of 11-year title drought and get Spurs to the Champions League. Not only the coach who gave the Scudetto, Inter were also left behind by their mainstay retainer Romelu Lukaku and Achraff Hakimi. But Inzaghi has his own way.
As the season progressed, Inzaghi gave something different from Conte: attacking football. Inzaghi seemed to want to answer Interisti’s desire for his favorite team to attack, dominate and win. Summarized from footystats.org, Inter’s shooting number in the 2021/2022 season has increased higher than the previous season. Precisely at 19.11 shots per game, compared to 15.18 shots in Conte’s era.
The ball possession rate was also higher in Inzaghi’s first season with 57% gain. An increase from 52% the previous season. This means that Inzaghi’s game plan to dominate the match is quite successful. The quality of the opportunities also looks qualified with an average xG/Match record of 2.39. Compare this with the average of 1.82 expected Goal/Match in 2020/2021. This means, Inzaghi succeeded in making Inter play more attacking, controlling the match, and creating many opportunities.
Perhaps what distinguishes why Conte’s Inter can win the Scudetto while Inzaghi’s is not is the effectiveness of using opportunities. Despite playing defensively, Inter 2020/2021 was able to convert 15% of shots to produce 89 goals. While the Nerazzurri last season were only able to record 84 goals from a conversion rate of 12% despite being able to average more shots. The Scudetto flies to the city cousins. Inter ended the season in second place with 84 points, 7 points down from the winning season.
From a different point of view, Inzaghi can be said to be a success in his first season. One Italian Cup and one Italian Super Cup successfully brought home. Inzaghi was also able to do what Conte failed to realize, qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League.
This season Inter started the campaign in the same style. Playing attacking, building attacks from below, pressing high levels. What a shame, entering the eighth week, the Nerazzurri have lost four times. The same amount as Inter’s total defeat last season, while the season is not even half way through.
As with everything, anything in excess is not good. Even if it’s delicious and boring. Inter’s attack tactics under Inzaghi are like a tempting bowl of instant noodles. The delicacy is addictive. But if too often enjoyed, it can actually be a source of disease.
The hole left when rising to attack becomes the target of the opponent’s counterattack. Spaces in defense can be exploited. Felipe Anderson’s goal when Inter fell at the Olimpico for example. The rivals seem to have understood Inter’s tactical weakness. Not to mention when talking about individual mistakes, decreased performance and disorganization of the game.
Okay, the decline in the performance of several pillars such as Samir Handanovic, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni is in the spotlight. But the tactical side still plays an important role in the fading of Inzaghiball’s charm at the beginning of this season. Luckily, the coach converted before it was too late.
The third matchday Champions League match against the Spanish giants, Barcelona, became a turning point. In that match, Inter became Inter in the truest sense. The Snake was no longer in a hurry to play aggressively. They choose to be reactive, disciplined to maintain defense, then attack the empty space left behind.
Positive results at home continued to the party away to Catalonia. The match itself was named the best match in the Champions League that week. Screen audience version of course. This change in style had an effect on improved match results throughout October. Since losing against Roma, Inter have practically lost full points once in all competitions, now when they drew 3-3 at the Camp Nou.
Nicolo Barella seemed to be reborn. Five goals were collected, with almost the same process. Pass deep behind the opponent’s defense, the attacker drops into the middle, and boom! Suddenly Barella appeared in the box to meet the pass.
Hakan Calhanoglu’s impromptu role as a result of Marcelo Brozovic’s injury also showed good results. Calhanoglu was able to play well as a regista. His passing, positioning and defensive side improved. Well, don’t forget about Inzaghi’s decision to obey the will of the supporters to replace Handanovic with Andre Onana in goal.
The season is long. The difference of eight points with the leader of the standings, Napoli, is still possible to be pursued. Although a bit heavy considering the performance of the Partenopei and Maradona Georgianya lately.
ASL
