From their heroics against Man City in the Champions League to their horror show against AC Milan, Inter Milan’s defense has “flopped” in Serie A.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
The bedrock of Inter’s success under Simone Inzaghi has been their solid defense.
That is not to say that the Nerazzurri have been particularly lacking in attack.
But it was Inter’s ability to keep clean sheets when it mattered that helped them reach the Champions League final in the 2022-23 season.
And last time around, the Nerazzurri kept the most clean sheets and conceded the fewest goals in Serie A. That played a huge role in their dominance on the way to the title.
Inter’s defensive solidity was on full display against Manchester City on Wednesday.
In their Champions League opener, the Nerazzurri restricted the Premier League juggernauts to very few chances to earn a priceless points from a goalless draw.
The match gave a clear demonstration of what makes Inter’s defense as effective as it is.
The Nerazzurri kept a compact shape throughout at the Etihad. The versatility of their 3-5-2 shape under Inzaghi allowed them to deny City space and disrupt their buildup in a methodical way.
From Man City To AC Milan – Inter Milan “Flops” In Serie A
Inter’s defense could not have looked much more different in yesterday’s loss to Milan.
The Rossoneri seemed to figure out Inter’s defensive shape quickly. And they found some big holes in it.
Between the back three, the midfield, and the wingbacks in Inter’s formation, Milan found space.
And once the Rossoneri were able to get players on the ball between the lines, Inter struggled to react.
The result was two goals, and three points, for Milan.
Truthfully, the two goals that the Rossoneri scored could have been more based on their chances. Nerazzurri keeper Yann Sommer played his part in keeping the scoreline more respectable.
Moreover, it’s not as though the derby was an isolated incident.
Inter had conceded twice against Genoa on opening day.
And against Monza, the Nerazzurri also had a major defensive lapse which cost them.
Now, Inter will have to find a way to be as relentlessly consistent at the back as they were last season.
Otherwise, they risk letting the title slip from their hands.