Inter could see key defenders become fatigued as the season goes on, with the defensive unit having largely relied on a few players so far leading to them racking up a high number of minutes already.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who highlight the strengths and weaknesses at the Nerazzurri across the pitch.
In defense, centre-back Milan Skriniar has already played 1080 minutes for club and country, while Stefan de Vrij comes in just behind him at 1057 – last season by contrast the Dutchman had played just 675.
Manager Simone Inzaghi looks to be largely reliant on his first-choice defenders, with only Alessandro Bastoni sometimes coming out for Federico Dimarco on the left, and with the defense already looking shaky at times as they adjustment to his defensive system from Antonio Conte’s the risk of fatigue setting in could be serious.
Meanwhile in wide areas, Denzel Dumfries has yet to really establish himself on the right except for his excellent debut against Bologna, while Matteo Darmian has filled the role effectively.
On the other side of the pitch, Ivan Perisic has done well in both attack and defense as a left-wing-back according to the Gazzetta, while Federico Dimarco has also impressed in the position.
In midfield the likes of Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolo Barella have been consistently impressive, while the trio of Hakan Calhanoglu, Arturo Vidal, and Matias Vecino have alternated in the third spot with some success.
Finally, in attack Inzaghi has clearly settled on Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko as his first-choice pairing in the early parts of the season, though the presence of Joaquin Correa in the squad will also be important going forward as the coach looks to have a real alternative to the starting duo.
