Wingbacks Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries have been a key part of the start of the season for Inter Milan.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight the pair’s contribution over the first couple months of the campaign.
It is no secret that Inter coach Simone Inzaghi places a big emphasis on the attacking importance of his wide players.
Since the 47-year-old had been at Lazio, the wingbacks had been an important source of a threat in behind opposition defenses that has made his 3-5-2 system function.
And that has certainly been the case at Inter.
The Nerazzurri get plenty of goal threat from strike pair Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. But neither necessarily has the pace to get in behind opposition defenses regularly.
Rather, both strikers look most comfortable with the ball at their feet, in front of an opposition backline.
And the two strikers have a tendency to focus on linking up with one another rather than stretching the pitch.
Dimarco & Dumfries Key To Inter Milan Start To The Season In Attack
It is therefore left to the wingbacks to give the team a real outlet in wide areas.
Both Dimarco and Dumfries have a strong and intuitive understanding of Inzaghi’s tactical expectations.
Therefore, both of the pair have been the players who know exactly when to free themselves up in space on the flanks. This has stretched opposition defenses apart, and given Inter a constant option to switch play.
And the two starting wingbacks have also had plenty of end product.
Dimarco has scored once – a screamer against Empoli – and assisted three goals.
Dumfries has two goals and three assists to his name.
Clearly the wingbacks have a lot of work to do in their position in Inter’s attack. And so far this season, Dimarco and Dumfries have provided the necessary quality to play their role.
