Inter played Cagliari at home in a match where the Nerazzurri usually struggle since Inter usually have a very hard time against teams from the bottom half of the table. Teams who like to sit back and play off the counter attack kind of how Cagliari did. Spalletti also decided that he would rest most of the usual starting eleven players.
This eleven lined up with D’Ambrosio on the right followed by de Vrij, Miranda and Dalbert. In that crucial holding midfielder role Gagliardini and Borja Valero played. In the three man front line Spalletti rested Perisic which meant that Politano and Candreva played on each flank switching sides several times, and with Nainggolan in the middle and Lautaro Martinez up front.
The back line played a very strong game and actually played with a lot of confidence. This meant that D’Ambrosio was actually able and willing to climb forward and support the attacking players. On the other side of the back line, Dalbert probably played his best game in an Inter shirt. This resulted in Dalbert contributing on the first goal by Lautaro Martinez after making a bold decision to carry the ball from the middle to the outside which draws the defenders to shift and follow the ball carrier leaving a beautiful corridor for Lautaro Martinez to run into.
Looking at the two alternate players in that holding midfield position, seeing a midfield without Brozovic usually results in a thing of nightmares for the Inter fans but Borja Valero did very well to fill his shoes when he was called upon. With Borja taking Brozovic’s holding position, this meant that Gagliardini was able to play slightly higher up the field executing the exact same system only with different bodies. With this kind of performance from Borja Valero nobody should be surprised if he actually is able to take that spot next to Brozovic in the next starting eleven.
In theattacking line of three, it would have been incredibly interesting to see Keita Balde out wide and Politano on the other side. This would have maybe resulted in actual conversions instead of missed goal opportunities that Candreva was responsible for. It’s important to note that Candreva, although having two golden opportunities to score, played a very good game and covered a lot of ground. After a long period of time, he may be finding his lethal Lazio form that most Inter fans expect him to have.
Up top, Lautaro Martinez put in a phenomenal performance that resulted in him getting his first Serie A goal. Towards the end of the game though, he slowed down and seemed to be in slight discomfort which indicates he may not be in perfect game form but clearly he was good enough to give Inter the opening goal.
In conclusion another very important three points which saw the team continue on their journey which brings them one step closer to Juventus. This season has been far from perfect but it’s nice to see a rotated squad being able to carry them to three points but most importantly; the climb begins now.
