Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi is trying to build a “new Inter” this season, with the aim of having every spot in the starting eleven up for grabs.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the coach wants to make full use of his squad to build a team where regular squad rotation ensures freshness across the pitch and tactical and stylistic versatility.
Last season Inter had a fairly settled first-choice starting eleven give or take a few positions that were decided on form, and the summer transfer business done by the club was thought by many to be aimed at replacing the depth options.
However, the players signed were brought in because they are suitable to Inzaghi’s style of football, and so far this season he has shown that he does not just see the new arrivals as backups to the starting eleven from last season.
The coach has installed a culture where there is competition for virtually every place, from Andre Onana pushing captain Samir Handanovic in goal to Edin Dzeko proving that he can be a key figure in attack even with Romelu Lukaku back.
Players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Francesco Acerbi who had been brought in mainly as backup options to replace players who left in the eyes of many, look like they can be included in the starting eleven regularly based on early indications.
Inzaghi does not want to only have a first-choice eleven and then backups moving forward, and the first few weeks of this season have represented a step towards a team where the coach can pick and choose who plays from match to match without any weak links or sacrifices.
