Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti feels that Inter coach Simone Inzaghi got his tactics right by starting Federico Dimarco in place of Alessandro Bastoni against Hellas Verona.
Writing in his column in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, Sconcerti highlighted the decision to hand the start to Dimarco as illustrating the coach’s successful gameplan.
Dimarco has not been the regular starter on the left of the Nerazzurri’s back three this season, with Bastoni’s quality and form having made him the usual player in the lineup.
However, the 24-year-old was given the chance to show his quality against his former side Verona, and his passing and driving runs were important to the team’s possession game as he combined well with teammates on the left side.
Dimarco was also defensively astute to help the team to a clean sheet up until the coach decided to shore up the backline by replacing him with Bastoni, and he enjoyed a solid evening.
“Inzaghi has understood that in this moment something has changed for the team,” he writes. “Dimarco starting in place of Bastoni was a smart tactical choice that has increased the thrust of Inter’s more dominant side, it goes beyond conservative thinking.”
He argues that “This is a sign that Inzaghi has learned from old mistakes. Verona were a bad opponent for Inter face in a moment where fatigue was just beneath the surface.”
“The ease with which Inter managed and won made this one of their best matches of the season,” he adds. “Not for the style of play, but for the authority, the allowing next to nothing.”
