Former Inter defender Massimo Paganin believes that the current Nerazzurri team under Max Allegri are marked by a notable stylistic difference from the team coached by Antonio Conte.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster TMW Radio, he highlighted the fact that now the Nerazzurri play with more possession and they use a high line to sustain attacks closer to the opposition goal.
Last campaign, the Nerazzurri were a highly effective counterattacking unit under Conte, but at times they looked reluctant to commit players forward or to put pressure on opponents until they came very deep into the Nerazzurri’s half.
This time around, however, there looks to be a new focus on passing the ball more amongst all the players and on winning it back when possession is lost.
Paganin feels that Inzaghi’s work as Inter coach has been to add this much more proactive approach to the way that the team played under Conte, which was fundamentally different.
“Inzaghi has done well in exploiting Conte’s work, but with more flexibility less rigid positional roles for the players,” he said.
“It gives them more room to maneuver, to enjoy themselves,” he added. “He leaves de Vrij fixed at the deepest part of the defense, and then the other two defenders who hold their positions somewhat.”
Paganin stated that “They move around fluidly, occupying space and giving more solutions to their teammates. Inzaghi gave tactical awareness to the team and worked to give the players more mobility on the pitch.”
“Inter play with a higher line and don’t just rely on counterattacks,” he explained.
