Both Inter Milan and AC Milan have used attacking contributions from defenders as the secret start to the blistering starts to the season.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.

This season, Inter and Milan have the been the two quick starters in Serie A.

The two derby rivals have taken maximum points from the three matches going into the first international break.

And in the view of Tuttosport, the attacking contributions from their defenders are a big part of the reason why.

For Inter, the marauding forays forward from Alessandro Bastoni and Matteo Darmian have been a key driver of the Nerazzurri’s counterattacking style of play.

Bastoni is not afraid to initiate a direct attack with a run forward if he sees the space open up.

And Francesco Acerbi showed last season that even from the very heart of Inter’s defense, he is not afraid to charge into attack.

Moreover, these aggressive positions taken up by Inter’s defenders have been important to the Nerazzurri in being able to win the ball back quickly and then have the numbers forward to turn it into a dangerous situation.

Inter & AC Milan Both Relying On Attacking Contributors From Defenders

Meanwhile, for the Rossoneri, the fullbacks have been key attacking pieces.

This has not just taken the form of runs down the flank – a common aspect of modern fullbacks and wingbacks.

Rather, Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria have needed to be more versatile. They are frequently the players who join the midfield trio.

The support that the fullbacks offer has been vital to Milan’s dominance in central areas at the start of the season.

Rather than only having a midfield trio, the Rossoneri can add more numbers. This in turn gives the front three ever more license to be aggressive and push forward.

In the view of Tuttosport, the defenders’ attacking contributions could be what decide the Milan derby.

Both Inter and Milan will be desperate to stop the other side’s defensive players from joining the attack. And in turn, each will see players from their own backline as the ones they need to involve in the attacking moves in order to win the tactical battle.