Inter Milan are aiming to balance a continuation of their momentum in Serie A with another deep run in the Champions League.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.
Last season saw Inter struggle in Serie A, but spread their wings in Europe.
The Nerazzurri’s acceptable third-place in the league table barely papered over how inconsistent their form had been.
And in the Champions League on the other end, Inter barely put a foot wrong. They reached the final of the competition, where they went toe-to-toe with Manchester City despite a narrow defeat.
This time around, Inter have been virtually from another planet compared to last season in Serie A.
Having lost a miserable twelve league matches last season, the Nerazzurri have so far lost just one. And drawn on just three occasions.
This momentum sees Inter as the clear favourites to win the title. That is not something they have done yet under Simone Inzaghi.
Inter Aim To Balance Serie A & Champions League Heroics
This situation gives Inter coach Inzaghi an interesting conundrum for the run-in of the season.
In the league, everything is there for Inter to go all the way and win it.
But Juventus are closer at their heels than Inzaghi would surely prefer it. Even after an emphatic Derby d’Italia defeat on Sunday, the Bianconeri are still in a position where they can capitalize on any slip-ups.
And given that Juventus have no European football this season, the hope on their part could be that the distraction of Champions League football is what provokes such slip-ups.
As such, there could be a temptation on Inzaghi’s part to go “all-in” on the league.
The coach could look to play his strongest team from week to week in Serie A. Then give other players the chance to shine on the bright European stage.
That is in fact exactly what Inzaghi did in the group stage.
The 47-year-old largely did not rotate in the league. He aimed for a consistent, dominant run in the league – then navigated a tricky group using many “backup” players as starters.
Inter got the job done on both fronts using that approach. They’ve amassed 57 points in the league, with a remarkable +41 goal difference. And reached the Champions League knockouts for the third season running.
But according to Tuttosport, this marks the point when Inzaghi shifts his strategy a bit.
For the knockouts of the Champions League, starting with the marquee tie against Atletico Madrid, the Inter coach will play his strongest team, no compromises or reservations.
And starting with the match against Salernitana, there should be more rotation in Serie A.
Inzaghi is ready to hand the “backups” the chance to see out the formidable advantage that the “starters” have given the team.
