Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi used his substitutions well to kill off the derby against AC Milan yesterday evening.

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

The second half of yesterday’s Milan derby began with Inter having a 2-0 advantage to defend.

It was always certain that Milan would push forward in an attempt to find the goal. And as the rain began to pour at the San Siro, the Rossoneri started to find spaces in which to attack.

Therefore, Milan finally broke through just before the hour mark, finding talisman Rafael Leao in a dangerous position where the Portuguese was able to charge past several Nerazzurri defenders to get through on goal, finishing past keeper Yann Sommer.

That was the first goal that Inter had conceded all season.

But the feeling was that, once the Nerazzurri had shipped that goal, there was a risk of more going in.

Milan suddenly looked like the team with momentum, and had the pace to cause problems for Inter.

That was, at least, until Inter coach Inzaghi turned to his bench.

Inter Milan Coach Simone Inzaghi Gets Substitutions Right Vs AC Milan

Inzaghi has gained a reputation for very proactively using his substitutions as Inter coach.

With the rule change to allow five substitutions instead of three, the coach has not been afraid to extensively use players from his bench.

And against Milan, he made three substitutions that changed the flow of the match.

Not coincidentally, the first three substitutions all came after Leao had scored. And they also followed Federico Dimarco pulling up with some cramp.

Dimarco went off, along with Nicolo Barella and Marcus Thuram. Replacing the trio were Carlos Augusto, Davide Frattesi, and Marko Arnautovic.

This switch-up in personnel gave Inter a boost in terms of energy, pace, and physicality.

Suddenly, the Nerazzurri had the physical resources needed to weather Milan’s surge in momentum.

And it was with this abrupt change in the balance that Inter managed to score their third, and then fourth and fifth to kill off the match.