(Note: due to the recent managerial changes, this article changed from its original form and became much more generalized as there is no knowledge of certain aspects of the game Inter is going to play in the upcoming season)
Éver Banega
The first transfer of the 2016 summer transfer market is welcomed as a very possible difference maker, coming to add technique and creativity in a midfield that was never a big contributor to the teams’ build-up, forcing at times the ball needlessly towards the wings.
But in which way will Banega be utilized better?
The Argentinian’s style of play can be characterized “anarchic”, especially when compared to a style with fixed positions on the pitch, moving from side to side in the middle third of the pitch in order to receive the ball and help the play progress upwards.
The lack of (defensive) midfielders that can progress the ball with vertical passes (with or without being under pressure), with the exception of Brozovic (whose defensive inefficiencies however make him a risky choice to play in front of the defense), together with Banega’s use of mostly his right foot to guide the ball even when under pressure from his right side (that makes reaching the ball and intercepting it easier for the opponent of course),(also his attempts to separate himself from the opponents by using his hand cannot always be successful), prove that his use between the lines and behind the striker for long periods of time will not be ideal for neither him or the team.
Thus, his position will vary on the pitch (even if at the start of the build-ups, he starts his movement from behind the striker) depending on the midfielders that will accompany him, where the ball is, the formation/structure of the opposition defense and whether they press or not.
There is something, however, that we need to understand.
Banega is not panacea
Banega’s dribbling, needle and one-touch passes and overall technique cannot solve Inter’s attacking problems, primarily regarding the circulation of the ball, without timed movements by his teammates.
These movements will be required even more with him playing as a regista.
While playing in front of the defense as a regista, Banega’s game changes slightly. Due to his position on the pitch, in which a mistake and loss of the ball can lead to a higher probability of a chance for the opposition, his passing becomes less risky and less vertical. He is good at identifying eventual risky situations and does not pass the ball when they are to occur, for example he will avoid passing to a teammate that is going to receive the ball with his back on goal and to two opponents near him ready to press.
When it comes to receiving the ball from his CBs (something very important as the Inter CBs were pressed on many occasions during the previous year), Banega is also very careful.
He won’t ask for the ball with opponents close and ready to press him, but will instead move upwards dragging them and freeing space for the CBs to move into. These movements far from the CBs (although more towards the sides) will also be employed in order to create space for another midfielder to drop and ask for the ball.
Don’t be surprised if you see him also on the far side of the ball, almost standing still as he waits for the opponents to move towards the ball, creating enough space for him to receive after a change of play.
Defense
Banega’s game couldn’t come without some defects of defensive nature.
Although, he seems like he has a clear understanding of how to position his body to cover passing lanes and press (at a medium tempo at least, and not very aggressively), at times he can be a bit sluggish, not turning his body and not changing his positioning on time depending on the position of the ball.
He is also, not very physical, not putting his feet aggressively to compete for balls and can make at times very slow returns after a loss of possession(although that can be a direct result of his mental and physical state depending on the importance, score and minute of the game).
These deficiencies, thus, can make him the weak link of the team if he is playing as a CM and is responsible for protecting the channels, the spaces created between the FBs and the CBs when the ball is on the wing. As a result Banega’s position on defense would have to be either on the wings (that are less important than the centre strategically) or next to the striker in a 4-4-2 formation.
Conclusion
Although Banega can be a potential game changer for Inter, as we mentioned above he is not Panacea. It is up to the coach therefore to find a way to hide his defensive flaws and get 100% out of his offensive capabilities.
Cristian Ansaldi
The first arrival of the Chinese era on the other hand does not come as a game changer, but as an improvement, in a very cheap price, in an area that was Inter’s Achilles’ heel.
The first thing that stands out about the ex-Genoa and Atletico Madrid defender is his ability to use both his feet (although his control of the ball and his passes can be at times a bit sloppy with his left) and also play on both the wings as a wingback or fullback or as right and left sided centre back.
When it comes to crossing, an area in which Inter FBs suffered at times last year, Ansaldi can certainly offer a small to medium improvement, due to his ability to use an array of different kinds of crosses, low ones, high ones, towards the penalty area or the first post etc, and with either foot, especially when he is not under heavy pressure and can see all his options.
He is also, very quick to support his wingers, offering them passing options with overlapping or underlapping runs.
Although, Genoa’s direct style of play with a great target man in Pavoletti and lack of perseverance in holding on possession constantly even under pressure, and his stint at the very direct Atletico, are not good indicators to base our opinions on if he will be an improvement compared to the other Inter FBs when it comes to his reactions under heavy pressure, his ability to change play with high quality long balls is sure something very positive.
Ansaldi on defense
The Argentinian’s good sense of positioning on defense can be primarily noticed at situations when he has to be positioned between two opponents in order to be ready to press and mark the one to receive the ball, standing at the right height of the pitch in relation to his opponents. He is also not attracted by the ball, therefore not creating spaces behind him, but holds his position when the opponent receives the ball with a distance that does not allow him to act, and makes an attempted intervention risky.
When it comes to one on ones, his style of defending is the one of anticipating the right moment to contest the ball instead of being more aggressive and willing to take more risks, although he can become aggressive and sloppy and causing some fouls when he is in contact with the opponent.
He is not particularly good when he has to stick behind an opponent that receives the ball with his back on goal, letting them receive and turn many times. However this problem was heavily exacerbated due to Genoa’s man marking that led to him following his opponent for big distances and on isolation without support from his midfielders on many occasions. This type of defending also led to many wingers with an explosive first step taking advantage of the spaces created behind him, by dragging him out of line and then turning and exploiting that area.
Finally, he is very good at clearing the ball away with his feet or head, sending the ball always on spaces where teammates are, or there is lack of opposition presence, not putting his team in risky situations. His ability to quickly recover, from bad positioning and wrong movements is also something very positive.
Conclusion
In a non FFP world, Cristian Ansaldi probably would have never been selected to be brought as the new first choice FB. However, his ability to play all over the defense and the fact that he will play in team that will mask most of his deficiencies makes Ansaldi a player that will probably have a long future, as a starter or as a great solution from the bench for years to come.
For more Inter and non-Inter related Tactical Analysis, you can find me on Twitter, @ThanosChelas.
