Inter Milan forwards Alexis Sanchez and Marko Arnautovic have earned praise for their performances off the bench against Napoli.
Today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, highlight the impact that the duo made in yesterday’s Supercoppa Italiana final.
It was Inter captain Lautaro Martinez who was Inter’s match-winner yesterday.
The Argentine was in the right place at the right time to add another goal to his eye-watering total for the season late in yesterday’s final.
Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram had put in a reasonably lively performance. But the Frenchman was not quite able to gain any traction in the penalty area, and missed his one decent opportunity.
Therefore, Inter needed some help from the other two senior forwards in the team.
Alexis Sanchez & Marko Arnautovic Praised For Impact Vs Napoli
Nerazzurri coach Inzaghi threw both of Sanchez and Arnautovic on in the second half yesterday.
Off came Thuram. But the Inter coach decided to leave Martinez on.
This meant that the formation switched to a 4-3-1-2 shape.
In that system, Sanchez played in a sort of free attacking role behind Martinez and Arnautovic.
The Chilean thrived in that position.
Sanchez’s close control and passing became a real weapon as Inter starting moving the ball around more quickly and dangerously than they had been previously.
And in fact it was Sanchez who played in Benjamin Pavard to set up Martinez’s winner.
There were shades of the former Arsenal and Manchester United man’s performance against Real Sociedad in the Champions League.
And Arnautovic also added plenty to Inter’s attack.
Just as Napoli’s back three had started to look comfortable dealing with Thuram, the Austrian former West Ham United and Bologna star came on to give them something different to hink about.
Arnautovic’s physicality helped Inter keep the pressure on. And he had plenty of energy and freshness to get involved in play.
