Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi has been using competition for places in the starting eleven as a way to spur better performances from the entire team.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the coach has insisted on having quality throughout every position including in terms of depth, as a way to make sure every player feels the pressure to perform or else find themselves dropped.

In goal, the summer addition of Andre Onana has given Samir Handanovic something to think about, as the Cameroonian represents the first time there has been real competition for his place in the form of his long-term successor rather than just an emergency backup.

In midfield, Henrikh Mkhitaryan in particular has ensured that there is real quality within Inzaghi’s system from more players than just the starting trio, and Nicolo Barella has already been benched in favour of the Armenian in an important match against Bayern Munich.

The same goes on the wings, where the coach has numerous options at his disposal, from which he can select at will based on form and his approach to an opponent, and in attack where Edin Dzeko in particular is proving to be more than just a backup.

In defense, the coach was very insistent on the signing of Francesco Acerbi during the summer transfer window, and it is already clear why, as the 34-year-old has injected reliable quality, and looks set to either push Stefan de Vrij to re-find his best form in order to keep his starting place, or else usurp the Dutchman.