Inter Milan could switch to a 3-5-1-1 formation in their Serie A clash with Torino over the weekend.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who report that fitness questions about Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez could prompt coach Simone Inzaghi to deviate from the usual 3-5-2 shape.
One of the big issues for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi in the leadup to next Saturday’s match is the condition of South American players like Martinez.
The Argentine will return at the eleventh hour. He should be back late on Thursday, after being in action with Argentina on Wednesday night.
Therefore, there are some questions about the Inter captain’s fitness in view of next weekend’s match.
Martinez will have to get over some jet lag. And he will only have a couple training sessions in which to prepare.
Therefore, there would be a couple doubts. Firstly, as to whether the 26-year-old can contribute at his best, and secondly as to whether he would be risking injury or fatigue.
Inter Could Play With 3-5-1-1 Shape In Serie A Clash Vs Torino
Nerazzurri coach Inzaghi will have to make a last-minute decision as to whether or not Martinez can start against the Granata.
Naturally the coach would hope that his captain can contribute. Martinez has had a blazing start to the season, scoring ten Serie A goals.
But there’s a very real chance of the Argentine starting on the bench.
Inzaghi won’t hesitate to drop Martinez from the starting eleven if the captain is not fit enough.
In that case, Inter will look a bit thin on the ground in attack.
There is little doubt that Marcus Thuram will start the match.
But Marko Arnautovic is still out injured. And Alexis Sanchez won’t be returning much earlier than Martinez.
Therefore, Inzaghi could decide to switch shape to make up for the absence of Martinez.
It would either be Davide Frattesi or Davy Klaassen who replaces the Argentine.
Frattesi could come into midfield and push Henrikh Mkhitaryan into an attcking midfield role. Or Klaassen could play in that position, with Mkhitaryan staying in midfield.
