Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi already more or less knows which his first three substitutions will be against Bologna this evening.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who name Alexis Sanchez, Kristjan Asllani, and Stefan de Vrij as the three players who are very likely to come onto the pitch.
Throughout his time as Inter coach, Inzaghi has developed a reputation for making extensive use of his bench.
The 47-year-old is never shy to use substitutions during matches.
Inzaghi usually ends up using all five of the substitutions available to him. Few coaches have embraced the change to the rules to allow five substitutions rather than three quite as the ex-Lazio coach has.
And Inzaghi also tends to make substitutions fairly early on.
The Inter coach frequently only waits ten or fifteen minutes into the second half of a match before turning to his bench.
Sanchez, Asllani & De Vrij Pre-Planned Substitutions For Inter Vs Bologna
One other facet of Inzaghi’s strategy when it comes to substitutions is that he tends to have a clear idea of which ones he’s going to make in a match even before kickoff.
Against Bologna, the Corriere reports, the Nerazzurri coach has three names in mind in particular.
The newspaper report that Inter will line up with the same starting eleven as in their Champions League win against Benfica. Inzaghi’s only priority is to take three points, not to rotate his squad.
But the coach has a plan to refresh the team in mid-match, and give a few key starters some rest.
First, the Corriere anticipate, Inzaghi intends to throw former Arsenal and Bologna forward Alexis Sanchez.
The 34-year-old will allow Inter captain Lautaro Martinez to catch his breath.
And in midfield, Kristjan Asllani will come on for Hakan Calhanoglu sooner or later. The Turk is a player who has already played a very large number of minutes in Serie A.
Lastly, the Corriere predict, Stefan de Vrij will come on during the second half.
Particularly if Inter already have the lead, the Dutchman can beef up the backline and add physicality. He could allow either Francesco Acerbi or more likely Alessandro Bastoni to rest a bit.
