Inter’s preseason opener against Lugano on Sunday showcased the style of play Antonio Conte will implement this season, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Stefano Sensi and Marcelo Brozovic scored the goals in a 2-1 win, getting the Nerazzurri off to a positive start before next week’s prestige friendlies in Asia.
Conte’s Inter will play less possession football than Luciano Spalletti’s side and are also expected to add more intensity to their game.
“Inter’s prolonged spells of possession in an attempt to open up their opponents will be replaced by a desire to immediately go forward,” Gazzetta explained.
“The midfield three are not in line with one another when they have the ball, with Marcelo Brozovic the deepest man and Stefano Sensi looking to give him a vertical option.”
Inter’s wing-backs will stay high and very wide under Conte, as Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva demonstrated against Lugano.
Perisic went to the by-line and crossed on several occasions, but he also took shots on goal and cut inside before passing to a close midfielder.
Candreva crossed to Perisic at the far post at one stage, showcasing Conte’s desire for his wing-backs to combine between one another.
Conte did not receive much defensive information against Lugano, with no sign of danger from the Swiss outfit until the final few minutes of the match.
Danilo D’Ambrosio, Stefan De Vrij and Milan Skriniar ran precious few risks, though, and will hope to repeat their positive showing against Manchester United at the weekend.
“De Vrij is the perfect man to play in the middle, Skriniar has more freedom to try and intercept the ball and D’Ambrosio is already following in Cesar Azpilicueta’s footsteps as a right-back playing in a back three,” Gazzetta added.
“They already seem to have a good understanding between one another, and Diego Godin has still yet to arrive…”
Inter will play Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain after their clash with United and Conte will hope to see gradual improvements in each match.
