Italian journalist Ivan Zazzaroni believes that Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi had been bold with his substitutions during the second half of yesterday’s Serie A clash with Torino, and was rewarded with the 1-0 victory.
Writing in his column in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Zazzaroni praised the Nerazzurri coach for making substitutions that proved to be effective in adding energy to a team that was sagging, and trusting players who were not obvious choices.
Inter had been struggling all match long against a tough and organized Torino team, and it was far from obvious that they would be able to find a way through even as the Granata started to tire a bit and hang on for the point.
Inzaghi responded to the situation with substitutions in the wide areas and midfield, including handing summer arrival Raoul Bellanova his most extensive playing time yet, in which the 22-year-old was a bright spark for the team.
“Inzaghi took three postitives,” Zazzaroni writes, “the performance of Handanovic, the best player on the pitch (he kept the result and the team alive on several occasions), the determined and lucid quest for victory against the new Toro who are a strong opponent and tough to play against, and the courage of Simone whose changes were vital to the final attacking push, which was successful.”
“In the twenty minutes that saw a turning point in the match, he had the courage to bet on Bellanova and Gosens, taking off Dumfries and Darmian, who were lacking energy on the flanks, but also Correa and Mkhitaryan,” he adds.
