Inter have been the form team in Serie A since they suffered their one loss of the season at the hands of Lazio, and they owe a lot of this to their defensive numbers.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, who highlight the formidable defensive effort that Inter have mustered since falling to defeat against the Bianconeri.
The loss against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico was the lowest point in Inter’s season, with the team surrendering an early lead and conceding three goals without replying to lose 3-1.
Coach Simone Inzaghi had his work cut out for him in trying to bring balance to a team who were strong in attack but struggled to control games and protect a lead.
In the league fixtures since, Inter have continued to play with a very high defensive line and aggressive press, but they have become defensively close to impenetrable.
The Nerazzurri have conceded four goals in their last nine Serie A matches, having kept six clean sheets in the process including over their last four games.
In spite of their high line and attacking aggression, Inter’s opponents have managed just eight shots on target over that period of nine matches, with only Spezia forcing a really excellent save out of Samir Handanovic.
Of the last nine goals conceded by the Nerazzurri in the league, only two have come from open play while the rest have been the result of set pieces or penalty.
Inzaghi has gotten his team on the right track because of their defensive improvements more than anything, and the numbers suggest that these improvements have been even more impressive than they may initially appear.
