Italian journalist Matteo Marani believes that Inter and other big teams in Serie A benefit from the rule change allowing coaches to make five substitutions in matches rather than three.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the Nerazzurri’s 2-1 comeback win over Sassuolo, Marani suggested that the advantage that teams with larger squads and better options on the bench have was illustrated by the nature of Inter’s win.
The Nerazzurri were not at their best in the first half at the Mapei Stadium, looking to have been outplayed during a difficult first half by a Neroverdi side who looked sharper, more aggressive, and more polished in possession.
However, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi recognized that his team needed something different, and he turned to his bench to make four substitutions early in the second half in the hopes that the players brought on could offer something that wasn’t coming from some of the starters.
In the end, the coach’s gambit paid off as he saw his team take three points from the difficult match, but Marani feels that this is also evidence of a structural advantage that teams like Inter have.
“It is necessary to underline how the Inter substituted played,” he said. “For example, Vidal made a great performance, someone who underwhelmed last year. Today the coaches are required to be able to manage changes. But it is also necessary that those who come on as substitutes come up with the answer the game can change its face.”
He went on, “The five changes, to be brutally frank, are a gift to the big teams: the time of pandemic emergency needs is over, so it is not clear why the five substitutions have been institutionalized.”